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Coming Home?

2009-04-26T12:37:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow evening I leave for Holland. While I am there just for a visit. It is kind of like coming home. Four years ago, I was ready to leave Holland, move to Canada and take on this new adventure. This journey is in its concluding stages. This week I finished my last work and I graduate May 23rd, pending the grades of my final weeks of course.

In the mean time I am visiting Holland. Spending time with my family, going back to my old home town of Ede, visiting Barcelona, and I get the chance to reflect. It is kind of weird coming back to Holland. The last time I visited was during Christmas of 2006 at that point I was still very much rooted in Holland and getting rooted in Hamilton. Today it feels a bit different, I have started to grow deep roots in Hamilton and my roots in Holland are established, but no longer growing.

So, I leave for Holland, my home country, yet it doesn't seem like I am coming home. I will feel that I am coming Home when I fly into Toronto again on May 15. This June I am moving into a house with some dear friends. We have been given the opportunity to live in a beautiful house on the Hamilton Harbour. Six of us will be living in the upstairs house and two will be living in a separate, but connected basement apartment. We will have the opportunity to just live. Be intentional about the simple things in our lives, give thanks for the abundance of blessings, and seek to combine a sense of community and culture in our home. (Once we get closer to that day, I will post pictures and be sharing more about this.

I am coming home. Perhaps surprisingly Hamilton has become that home to me. Initially due to my four years at Redeemer, now it continues to be home as I will start the next part of my journey here. There is so much to be thankful for.

The lack of public places in Suburbia.

2009-04-04T11:51:00.004-04:00

There are often two responses to my strong opinions against suburban development within cities. There are those who have not really considered it, and also don't think it is really important, they remind me of the apparent positives of suburban development - privacy, comfort, and ease. Then there are those who have thought about urban development a bit, or perhaps even a lot they almost always respond by agreeing.

The book Suburban Naiton by Andres Duany, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck have offered me some more insights on some of the underlying stories of suburban development.

“Dollar for dollar, no other society approaches the United States in terms of the number of square feet per person, the number of baths per bedroom, the number of appliances in the kitchen, the quality of the climate control, and the convenience of the garage. The American private realm is simply a superior product. … Americans might have the finest private realm in the developed world, but our public realm is brutal. Confronted by repetitive subdivisions, treeless collector roads, and vast parking lots, the citizen finds few public spaces worth visiting. One’s role in this environment is primarily as a motorist competing for asphalt.” (41)

The (North) American private realm is a superior product... I have to agree with this statement. We have created more private space that seeks to serve our comforts than one could possibly imagine. What is considered a tiny home today, was a normal to large sized home just 20 years ago. While a private realm which exceeds our needs is problematic enough, I think more worrysome is the fast decline of our public realm.

“To begin with the obvious community cannot form in the absence of communal space, without places for people to get together to talk. Just as it is difficult to imagine the concept of family independent of the home, it is near-impossible to imagine community independent of the town square or the local pub. Christopher Lasch has observed that ‘civic life requires setting in which people meet as equals. Thanks to the decay of civic institutions ranging from political parties to public parks and informal meeting places, conversation has become almost as specialized as the production of knowledge.’ In the absence of walkable public places – streets, squares, and parks, the public realm – people of diverse ages, races, and beliefs are unlikely to meet and talk. Those who believe that Internet web sites and chat rooms are effective substitutes vastly underestimate the distinction between a computer monitor and the human body.” (60)

The public realm is degraded to a mere emptiness. The public square, the public street, and the sidewalk have been reduced to a roads 40 feet wide, lined with sidewalks leading to nowhere, and a landscape where the variety of garage door sizes are the high point of aesthetic playfulness.

Public places have been reduced to this:
(I will not make a sustainability argument against suburban development right now, because this post would become to long)

The people I have resided with for the past two years.

2009-04-03T22:48:00.005-04:00

This is dorm 28 - slightly chaotic - wonderful nonetheless

The Home - we had good times last year - we also made full use of our landlords artifacts

Reflections on Aesthetics

2009-03-30T23:11:00.003-04:00

I just finished up my first course in my last semester. At times frustrating, at times very rewarding, I think I can leave this course being able to put into words a bit better, why an aesthetically obedient life is of value.

I am not an artist, dare I say, much of my creative juices can be traced back quite easily to a few influences in my life. And I am quite content with that. Yet, I realize that even though I don't produce works of art or create groundbreaking ideas regarding aesthetics, I do feel that part of my life is closely tied to enjoying the richness of goods creation, and accordingly cultivating that richness where possible.

There are two themes that have really stuck with me from this course. First - take time. Take time to enjoy a cup of tea, take time to become aware of the places you reside daily, take time to recognize the abundance of goodness in God's creation and act accordingly. Two - surround yourself with those willing to learn. While there are aesthetic and artistic leaders present around me, most of the people any of us know, are not that different from us. Which makes it even more crucial that we surround ourselves by those who are willing to learn, experiment, challenge, and engage some of the peculiar things that a playful aesthetic life opens up. Surround yourself by friends, family, somewhat familiar "experts" on culture and listen.

To finish this post... Here are some links to some artistic leaders or worksAn close to me or in the broader community which are worth following.

Dr. Suess
Simon & Garfunkel (Currently loving Wednesday Morning 3 A.M.)
Sigur Ros (His newest album Med Sud I Eyrum is simply amazing)
La Sagrada Familia (The Sacred Family by Antoni Gaudi, construction began in 1882 and will hopefully be completed in 2026 - Gaudi said "My Client is not in a hurry" here is a floor plan, with the significance of the towers and architecture - I am slightly very exited to visit thisplace in May)
Annie Ling

Post Scriptum

2009-03-25T19:09:00.004-04:00

It is remarkable how God can prepare you for months to hear a message and it can still hit you very hard.

Furthermore it is remarkable in a negative way how badly the season of Lent ties in with papers and exams.

Remarkable

2009-03-25T08:29:00.002-04:00

This morning a long time friend of mine walked into the library - it is remarkable how the presence of a friend can encourage someone.

Yesterday, I needed to hear something specific - it is remarkable how encouraging and godly words of friends can be without them knowing

I think a lot, in fact I worry a lot, sometimes this is warranted sometimes it is not - it is remarkable how God's plan trumps my worrying

In the news...

2009-03-14T12:16:00.003-04:00

Sometimes it is hard not to feel grim about this world, and how badly we take care of it. Wikipedia has an In the News section on their front page. This is what it read this very morning..

American businessman Bernard Madoff pleads guilty to the largest investment fraud in U.S. history.
Cougar Helicopters Flight 91 ditches in the Atlantic Ocean near Newfoundland, Canada, killing 17 people.
An oil spill in Australia's Coral Sea is reported as Queensland's worst environmental disaster (affected Sunshine Coast pictured).
A school shooting kills at least 15 people in Winnenden, Germany, and another shooting spree kills at least 10 people in the U.S. state of Alabama.
A suicide attack kills at least 28 people and injures 57 others in Baghdad, Iraq.
Two British soldiers from the 38 Engineer Regiment are fatally shot in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Three shootings, one suicide attack, a crash, and two environmental disasters... Ironic perhaps, that the last item in the news is this...

NASA launches the Kepler spacecraft, a mission to search for Earth-like planets.

Unless there is some sort of awareness that we are perhaps not doing a very good job at being stewards to this earth at being Ambassadors of Christ's reconciliation why would we look for other Earth-like plants.

It is not the case that I am currently in some kind of state of disillusion and unbelief at our failures. Reading these few news items serves more as a reminder of the enormous task, and our call or renewing - one step at a time.

sporadic ramblings

2009-02-16T23:41:00.002-05:00

It is mid February. I must be honest in saying that I have not longed for summer this much before in my life. I am tired of the dark and cold days. I do not enjoy being confined to four walls for most parts of the day. I honestly crave the opportunity of enjoying a meal outside on a patio, I long for the long evenings where the sun doesn't seem to hurry to get to the other side of the world, I desire to go to places randomly and not having to worry about frost-bite.

I also think that is probably the saddest and dreariest way I have ever started a blog. After all things are actually quite well in my life right now. I am listening to Beethoven's Piano concerto No. 4 in G Major and while I don't really know what that all means, it is very soothing. February 2009 means also that I am rapidly approaching my graduating date. This semester has been filled with many responsibilities and opportunities, however, has been cast under a shadow of a significant lack of motivation to achieve the best I can. While being challenged in my classes and even more so in conversations with friends outside of class I am struggling to push myself to critically engage a lot of the big ideas floating around.

Currently I am interning at Cardus (A Public think tank with a comprehensive view of changing our world) for course credit, and it has to be the most interesting course I have partaken in. My official "title" is research intern, which means that I get to assist in the research projects Cardus has going on. For me the most exciting part has been to partake in the Stained Glass Urbanism research. It is hard to describe in few words what I get to do - most simply put, however, I get the chance to research what the role of the church as an institution is within the urban context. How does a church relate to its city, how does it cultivate and nurture a healthy relationship with urban life in the city not just its Sunday worshipers. That kind of stuff gets me going and accordingly I am enjoying this internship quite a bit.

Back to the summer, there are many things to look forward to. The most obvious is my mom's wedding and being able to see all my family and loved ones and having all of us together for the first time in a while. However, that alone doesn't make me excited about the summer. I greatly anticipate living with many of the same guys as last summer at the Catacombs, numerous other weddings, being done school, and going to Holland and Barcelona (Lord willing).

Fear and Hope

2008-11-30T13:19:00.003-05:00

It scares me that this thing called black Friday is such a huge happening in our society. I am sure many have heard that a Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death. Some thoughts from people involved as

However, according to ShopperTrak a Chicago based organization that tracks consumer spending we can be encouraged because spending on black friday was up from 10.3 billion to 10.6 billion. Read this "encouraging" testimony by their co-founder.

"Under these circumstances, to start off the season in this fashion is truly amazing and is a testament to the resiliency of the American consumer, and undeniably proves a willingness to spend," ShopperTrak co-founder Bill Martin said in a statement. So please do not worry the life of a person is well worth the 10.6 billion dollars of consumerism.

However, there is something this time that we can be hopeful for, we can face east and realize that while we live in this time of darkness the sun is rising and a new light will come. I find hope and anticipation in the words of Isaiah 9 which bring us this hope

To Us a Child Is Born

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan-

2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.

Faithfulness

2008-11-09T21:49:00.003-05:00

Currently reading:

The Fabric of Faithfulness - Steven Garber
Jesus Wants to Save Christians - Rob Bell

Currently musical love:

Simon and Garfunkel - Wednesday Morning 3AM and Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
Sufjan Stevens - 5 set Christmas CDs - it's a bit early I know
Hymns... lots of hymns.

Faith

2008-10-29T23:47:00.002-04:00

Sola fide - the doctrine of justification - the idea that we are justified by faith alone. We are made right with God by our faith not by our actions. I think it is something I have assumed for a long time. I don't think I have thought about it to much though. Being raised in the Calvinistic tradition it is perhaps something that is often just assumed. Dr. Payton made me think about this again... these thoughts are mainly his or at least by inspired by his words.

Romans 3: 21-24 tells us "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." This being made right with God is through faith in Christ. Through faith alone, not through deeds because we all no matter how good fall short to God. However, being justified through faith alone does not mean that we can sit on our lazy bums. It is not a one time, and now we are good for life commitment.

Yes, only by faith we are justified. However, faith is not something that stand on its own, it can't. Without the body of believers nourishing our faith, without being challenged in our faith, our faith stands alone. When it stands alone is cannot be living. Faith in Christ is not an one-time thing, it is something that changes over the span of our life. We sin and get raised again with Christ, we fall down and get picked up by His love that we can see in the body of believes. If this, our faith, is this one time commitment it is dead. We run the danger of becoming a mouse in a cooke jar, to steal an idea from Soren Kierkegaard. All around us are Christians who have made a faith commitment, and their faith might be alive, but they are all around us, and so we assume we are also a Christian whose faith is alive. However, we need to be aware that our surroundings don't determine where we think our faith is at. Perhaps my faith is not something living, and I am just someone trusting on the idea of justification throug faith.

To me being safe in a Christian environment is a huge encouragement, however, within my heritage we run the risk of thinking we are cookies. Whether it is in our church, school, or work communties our faith should not be lazy, it should spur us to a more active life rooted in Christ and the faith we have received by His grace.

The importance of urban places

2008-10-24T15:26:00.002-04:00

I am a bit of an urban junky, unfortunately Redeemer's campus is not located int Downtown Hamilton, but right on the rural-urban fringe - (and it is being surrounded at an alarming rate by suburban development and a new fire-station). Therefore, when I visit downtown, I don't have my own place, I don't have a place that I can call my home, sure there are a few friends in that area, and my church is within walking distance of the downtown core, however, I have come to appreciate the importance of urban places. (To define urban places - I mean places within a distinctly urban area, in which one can engage the surroundings, experience the city, share time with friends, or just simply relax.)

Now Hamilton is full of urban places, some a bit dysfunctional, and some on the upbeat. One of these places for me is the Farmers Market. Right amidst one of the less attractive developments downtown Hamilton has seen in the the later half of the 20th century (that is the complex which includes Jackson Square, City Centre, Copps, the Library, and the Market itself) the market is a great urban place. The market doesn't claim to be a true local, all Hamiltonian market and rightfully so. The Farmers Market is kind of a mosaic. Your ethnic foods, breads, veggies, Deli, flowers, or crafty soaps are all available inside this big hall which is the Farmers Market. Whether you need a rabbit for dinner, the best deal on bagels in town, or some ingridients for oriental type of cooking you are at the right place.

Another urban place worth checking out in Hamilton is the FRWY cafe (Freeway). Depending on when you go you will either find the relaxed atmosphere of a coffee house, an art show featuring local artist, salsa dancing lessons, or even church. One thing is always present - good coffee. The Coffee house is run throught the church community that meets in the very same place. The FRWY is a place where community is central - whether meeting there for a coffee or partking in their church community - the FRWY is all about enriching deep community.

Another place is Mixed Media - located on James St. North it has been instrumental in the revival of the arts community in Hamilton. While being mainly an arts supply store, it is also a gathering place for those in the James St. area. One of the main things that Mixed Media has encouraged is the James St. Art Crawl - not only is it a great initiative because the street is closed off dor any moterized traffic, it has also been voted the best place to take a date in Hamilton... Just so you know.

What all these places have in common is that they provide the Hamilton community with unique experiences and places. They seek to enrich the life of the city, they increase the public life of a city, they provde places where we can engage with others, places where we can live out the gospel, places where we can challenge and be challenged.

Some things YouTube has to offer

2008-10-23T18:29:00.005-04:00

Feist alters here 1,2,3,4 song for Sesame Street - I like.

Simon and Garfunkel and Frank Lloyd Wright - A combination of great architecture, with great songwriting

Worth every single minute of the 8:55 - Bob Dylan - Hurricane

A brief reminder

What's keeping my thoughts busy...

2008-10-21T23:04:00.005-04:00

Here are a few articles and topics that have kept me busy (at least my thoughts) - maybe I will expand on this in the near future.

Regarding Worship I think Brian McLaren gives us an insight into the state or church worship today. Read the article here.

Cardus (formerly known as the Work Research Foundation) published an article by Steven Garber on Proximate Justice. This article gives us an insight into what Mr. Garber was talking about.

How can we as Christians within this post-modern (ultra-modern, creative-anti realistic) world keep to the truth - to Christ. How can we encourage people to seek for the truth, but not become relativistic regarding our own faith.

Why do people equate being Conservative or Republican to being Christian... Shane Claiborne has some things to say about this in his book Jesus for President. <---- that's a link to a short video

Lastly, when will there be proportional representation in Canadian elections!! Please!! See this submission to the Ontario's electoral reform committee or if you are interested and have some time, here are a number or thoughts about the issue of proportional representation.

Hamilton

2008-06-20T10:47:00.001-04:00

Uncle Willem

2008-04-19T10:17:00.005-04:00

Tuesday April 15th, 2008 I became an uncle - I am so excited! Her name is Anna Jasmijn. And she is beautiful. I am so happy for Jeroen and Jacq -I can't wait to see them sometime hopefully soon.

The baby girl and the new family

It was my birthday the week before, and I had the opportunity to see the Jays for the first time. It was a blast, they look a bit streaky right now, but I think they can make the play-offs this year - for sure!

In other news - 3 more exams (2 - gym 1 - take home). I love exam time, it is quite relaxing especially with weather like this (24C) I can't wait. The last Church in the Box is tomorrow. Syd Hielema is speaking - the theme will be Christ the Redeemer - come out of you can. 7PM.

Future plans

2008-04-04T00:02:00.005-04:00

So, lots of future plans all confirmed in the last couple of weeks - God is Glorious

1. Finish this school year
2. Live with awesome guys and have a great summer on Glancaster rd. - staying in Hamilton
3. Painting - lots of it, it will be my summer job, and I am very excited, I will be working with some awesome people
4. RAing with James Cuthbert
5. Leading a ministry that I have come to love (CITB), very exciting, should be very stretching and challenging as well.
6. I am sure there is a six... but I forget.

The greatest albums ever

2008-03-31T08:55:00.007-04:00

Best albums ever, perhaps, according to me...

(just so you know I love live concerts made into albums)

Simon and Garfunkel - Concert in Central Park

The interaction you get to hear between the two artist on stage is amazing. Like they say, "there is nothing like a neighbourhood concert". Simon and Garfunkel give us stories, it is like every song is another narrative, it makes you feel at home.They were and still are amazing.

Babyface - MTV Unplugged 1997

Mainly a song writer for R&B ans soul artist, babyface is a musical genious. Besides that, the songs that he records himself, comparatively there are only a few are masterworks, in which he cuts deep by talking about pretty significant issues. Songs like How Come, How Long, and Change the World are just... brilliant.

David Crowder Band - A Collision

They are just awesome, they combine, old school traditionals, hymn's, and their own songs with key-tar's, synth's, weird voice overs and Jesus. Let's say it's a beautiful collision of melodies, words, creativeness, and meaning.

Bob Dylan - The 30th anniversary Concert Celebration

Bob is brilliant, on this double-disc great legends come together with him and vocalize some of his greatest tunes. People like Tom Petty, Willie Nelson, Johny Cash, Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman, Lou Reed, and of course Bob Dylan himself give a new character to each song, it is really refreshing, in an old folk songwriter kind of way.

Nelly Furtado - Folklore

She reached her artistic and musical peak with this album. Songs like Try which became quite popular are honest and brutally open stories. Saturdays the best song on that album (according to me) is a one-time recording without any practicing in which the laughing and mistakes are not cut out, it shares the story of her youth helping her mother clean hotels on saturdays. Please old Nelly come back, I don't like the promiscious girl you are trying to be.

Thanks Felix.

Earth Hour

2008-03-30T12:32:00.005-04:00

We had a Earth Hour party at our house, I don't think we turned on any lights until like 11pm, it was awesome, although I missed the first part it included music, stories, lots of candles, even more laughter, brownies with cream cheese (what an amzing idea), and many good friends.

Here are some pictures of what Earth Hour in Toronto looked like

This is just before Earth Hour an average evening in Downtown Toronto

This is during Earth Hour, Lots of lights still on, but many of them are off.

50 Things I Love

2008-03-30T00:22:00.000-04:00

In no particular order

1. Hamilton, and its rough urban texture

2. Coming home to a meal of fish, fried patatoes, and green beans

3. Looking at anything by Frank Lloyd Wright

4. Listening to some live music at the FRWY

5. The excitement that is found in a service planning meeting for CITB

6. Sunday lunches, sometimes simple, sometimes extravagant, always delicious

7. Giving a tour of the Academic building at RUC during a Campus visit Day

8. Any form of a smoothie - there is nothing like fresh fruit being mashed and chilled

9. Reading books that unsuspectingly show my God's truth somehwere in creation

10. Learning from people and worshipping as one church through the True City movement

11. Prayer time on Tuesday evening with the CITB prayer team.

12. Trusting God - though it can be o so hard...

13. Walking in Union Station in Toronto - and exiting on Front St. right across The Fairmont Royal York

14. Talking to family who I have unfortunately not talked to in a while

15. Coming back to Holland - every country has its own smells, sounds, tastes, texture, etc

16. The outlook in life of being able to root in Hamilton

17. Seeing old pictures from High School or Grade School

18. Exploring new cities - Recently that has been New York and Vancouver

19. Road Trips

20. The beauty of the Thunder Bay area

21. McFlurry's with Smarties, Oreo's, and Caramel

22. Being part of a church community such as First

23. P-eer Luck - a combination of prayer, peers, food, and beer in one evening, you should try it

24. Scott Mission Camp - A summer that was hard for me, but I learned a lot

25. The fact that God willing I will be an uncle soon!

26. The Salomon R. Guggenheim building - even if it is under construction when you are there...

27. Indian food - Masala grill, Thunder Bay anyone?

28. Coffee - see previous post

29. Friends - sitting and talking, praying, making puns, being challenged all in a good place

30. Proffesors who engage students to think in ways that might hurt you and change you

31. Community - investing in people, place, God, a neighbourhood

32. Pancakes - any variety, any time altough Finnish pancakes at the Hoito in Thunder Bay are superior

33. Praising God through prayer, song, voices, art, movement in a worship service

34. Putting things into perspective

35. Listening to a Jazz concert on the top of a mini-van just outside the park

36. Simon & Garfunkel - I hope they will do another tour so I can actualy see them

37. Sitting by a fire (inside or outside)

38. Sidewalks, parks, squares, gardens- they are the best places to meet new people

39. Handing in a paper that I know is good work

40. The fact that I have no clue what I am going to be doing 10,5, or even 2 years from now (although it will probably be in Hamilton see #16)

41. Snow - and the endless possibilities it brings (snowboarding, sleading, snowball fights, being in wonder of the beauty of creation)

42. Earth Hour and the back to simplicity community it brings

43. Coffee dates, to keep in contact with each other and to keep accountable

44. Nature - walking through it, under it, within it - seeing beauty

45. The ability to see amazing art, theatre, and music at Redeemer on a constant basis

46. Looking through old photos - brings back memories

47. Summer reading - what a great concept

48. Being grateful that after a crashed computer - your hard-drive is still alive

49. The upcoming month seems exciting - becoming an uncle, finishing 3rd year, summer starting, blue jays game, Rogier visiting, etc.

50. Any suggestions... I am sure I missed something even though I did it in four intervals

- Inspired by Comment Magazine

Redeemer Gold, Raptors blow out, and March Madness

2008-03-20T20:12:00.004-04:00

Lots of sports news...

25 years after its humble beginnings Redeemer University College wins their first golden medal within the OCAA. I love this school, and I love the fact that a school of about 850 people can beat a school with about 15000 students in the Indoor soccer finals! Redeemer wins gold! The OCAA website tells us, "No Redeemer men’s tournament or league team has ever won an OCAA gold medal…until today when the Royals dethroned the Humber Hawks 2-1 in the Championship final. "

Yesterday I was at the Raptors game. And I guess it was historic - 96-54 for the Raptors against the Heat. Biggest margin of victory for Toronto ever, lowest points against for Toronto ever, and third lowest points (54) in the NBA ever scored by the Heat. The icing on the cake was Jamario Moon's sick dunk > see Video.

And also March Madness started today! College basketball is awesome. North Carolina all the way!

Coffee

2008-03-18T12:57:00.004-04:00

This year I have grown a great appreciation for coffee. I love a nice bold cup of coffee from *bucks, Second Cup, of the FRWY (freeway) especially. Even more so I have fallen in love with the smell and taste of a home brewed cup of coffee. Whether it means that Steve puls out one of his amazing espresso creations or it a home brewed cup of coffee from our beautifull blue coffee press - the taste is superior. As you walk into the room you can start anticipating the taste and the aroma of the coffee. Especially when we have fresh ground coffee, it makes me excited.

And although home made coffee is an art in itself and taste amazing, this looks pretty good as well.

Thank you

2008-03-16T23:44:00.004-04:00

Thank you Jesus, for making life a bit less academically busy, while other things were crazy. Two Campus Visit Days, Banquet, and Church in the Box in four days, makes me quite tired! Imagine another load of papers or such on top of that.

Campus Visit Days for me have been something that I have and still absolutely love. For me it is quite easy to still resonate with young people coming in, wondering about Redeemer, University, and life in general. It is awesome to just stand by there side, show them around, answer questions from concerned parents, etc.

Dr. Wolters highlighted the passion of palm sunday. Christ the King does not come without a Christ who suffered. There the one and the same, and so our lives are going to be full of times where we confirm the kingship of Christ or where we suffer alongside with Christ.

Right now Matt VanderVecht, Ben Bouwman, Jared Dalton, and I are looking into places that we ould possible live for the summer. Pray with us that we will find a place where we can get a better understanding of what Hamilton is about.

Currently Reading: Cries of the Heart - Ravi Zacharias
Current most loved song: God of this City - Christ Tomlin
Current best food - Anything involving Rice!
Current time: 00:01 - time to go to bed

Earth Hour

2008-03-10T00:36:00.003-04:00

I just checked some news items on Toronto, and in case you didn't know. Toronto is participating in Earth Hour 2008 big time. March the 29th all city buildings will power down a well as businesses, hotels, individuals, and whoever else. More than 50 cities, 1,000 businesses, and 20000 people in Canada have signed up, Toronto being the main partner in Canada. They will celebrate with a "carbon-neutral" unplugged concert that will feature Nelly Furtado and others. I think it would be cool listening to an unplugged concerts in a "dark" downtown Toronto.

While it could be seen as cities, businesses and people being trendy and being environmentally concerned, still it is happening. All are powering down for 1 hour. Hamilton signed up as well, however, I have not heard of any events or such here. Who knows, we are still 20 days away.

Maybe one day all those lights will be off at the same time and the world won't look like this at night.

Soon

2008-03-08T23:18:00.002-05:00

Soon...
I will see the Raptors play
I will be an uncle
I will be done third year
I will see Hot Chip in concert
I will be moving downtown for the summer (anybody know of a place)
I should pick up my Dutch passport
I will have to go to bed > because there is church tomorrow morning

All within 2 blocks

2008-03-05T23:45:00.011-05:00

I want to share with you a but about one area of downtown hamilton. Most people have probably been there at some point, it is the heart of the city. I want to share with you some thoughts about the blocks surrounding Gore Park.

In 1973 there was still a building in Hamilon Called the Birks Building. In fact, Oscar Wilde called it "the most beautiful building in all of North America," it was demolished in 1973 despite major protests. Below is a picture of the building, which is now replaced by a rather stale, concrete and glass version of the bank of Nova Scotia.

However, in recent decades right across from the location the Birks building was, the Piggott building has been saved, and is now deemed one of Hamilton's most beautiful if not the most beautiful buildings. The picture below, shows the upper levels, as well as part of the stale building that replaced the Birks building on the left.
Currently Hamilton is in another discussion, this time on the Lister block building, about 1,5 blocks North on James and King William St. In 2005 great plans for revitalizing this building were announced, the costs now seem a bit higher than anticipated and discussion about demolishing the building are back. Below, the Lister Block.
Last week the Hamilton Spectator reported on the Royal Connaught hotel to be revitalized. By Toronto developer Harry Stinson. All these buildings are within 1-2 blocks of Gore Park, the heart of the City of Hamilton that can be described as an intimate place full of opportunity. If Hamilton is going to become this great urban centre West of the GTA, I feel like redevelopment in this area is vital, revitalizing the Royal Connaught and the Lister Block are good first steps. Tackling the massive concrete square of the Farmer's market, Library, Jackson Square, and Copps should follow immediatley. Luckily there is much discussion on this, hopefully it will be fruitful. Look at this picture of Gore Park currently. What if we can make this entire neighbourhood like this? What if we can maintain and continue to give the heart of the city a distinct urban texture. A public place that is alive, active, and contagious to the communities around it. All within about 2 blocks of this park. I think it is an opportunity we should cease. I think the heart of the city of Hamilton can be a place where we can engage with culture, a place that community can be formed, a place that needs to reflect God's glory.

Fuzzy February / Februhairy

2008-03-01T12:59:00.006-05:00

In the month of February we (some friends and myself decided not to shave. Here are the results, day 1 and after day 29. I think I was pretty cool with it at first, now I am kind of shocked. Well, hooray for the best that a man can get (Gillette), so we can do some trimmin'

The Dinos

2008-02-27T01:02:00.003-05:00

I got to admit - ever since I moved to Canada I have had a renewed passion for the sport of basketball, especially the Toronto Raptors. Last year I was able to see 3 games! That was pretty amazing, the first game I saw was Toronto's win over LeBron James and Cleveland that many have described as a turn around for Toronto's season, the last game was in the playoffs vs. the Nets and Vince Carter. That crowd was booming! The Raps won as well, however, they got eliminated in game 6.

This year I have been following my team as well, and I have to so I am pretty satisfied, I am happy where they are, but there is room for improvement. Let's finish of the regular season strong. I can't wait for March 19th to see them against the Miami Heat. Anyway, now you know, I love basketball. It's nice.

New York City

2008-02-24T13:01:00.006-05:00

St. Patricks Cathedral

The Brooklynn Bridge as seen from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal

The Museum Of Modern Art (MOMA)

Proof that I was in New York City

Where else would they wrap the construction barriers in wrapping paper?

A cool story

2008-02-21T00:25:00.004-05:00

So, this is something worth blogging about. When I left for Canada about 2,5 years ago I met a few cool peopleat the Schiphol airport. One of them was wearing a Redeemer University College T-shirt. I ended up talking to them, and telling them I was going to be going there in September, however, they had just graduated, and so that was kind of it. I always saw this random meeting with a few random Redeemer people at Schiphol as a pretty cool confirmation of my move to Canada. At that time I was quite nervous about my move to Canada, and thus this was very encouraging for me.

About 2,3 years later I was thinking about this story, and thought that again about how cool it was that God had provided me with such a cool encouragement as I was about to move to Canada. So, I asked some of the people that I know have been around Redeemer for a bit and I found out that a couple of guys were travelling through Europe that summer. When asking one of those guys who happens to be my prof. for my International Relations class I found out that he was actually one of the people I met at Schiphol - I think that is pretty cool.

This might be a temporary revival

2008-02-20T23:40:00.005-05:00

Well, it is reading break right now. And it has been a while since I was active on this blog. There are a few things I want to share that have happened since October.

Life at 49-20 Kitty Murray Lane has been really good. The guys I have been living with and myself have been thinking a lot about how to live our life, thinking about community, trying to be a group of people welcoming to others. Matt V, Steve, and I have been going to First CRC downtown Hamilton which has been awesome for us.

Last semester ended in a very good fashion, I was able to visit Jen, Rachel, and Cheryl in Vancouver, and went to Calgary to celbrate Christmas there.

This week (reading break) offically means that we are halfway through the second semester, and this means there was time for some relaxing. The last 4 days I went to New York, which was an amazing trip where I was very impressed with the city and that it has to offer. Today, I went home, and tomorrow I am going to my first Leafs game which is also something I am really excited about. To top it all of I am going to the True City conference on the weekend - which is something really exciting - since there are so many churches working together on the city of Hamilton.

Earlier this semester I was also able to enjoy my time at the Calvin Worship Symposium, the Faith and Social Justice Conference, the Marva Dawn lectures, and the winter retreat. There are so many stories behind all these events, that listing them really doesn't do them justice, but hey, I am making up for 4 months of not bloggin. Anyway, expect more posts soon.

...

2007-10-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Facebook has killed my blog...

Perhaps there will be some random musings here... but, I would consider those more as after schocks or spur of the moment blog writing attempts.

My life, it is going great, for those who want to know more e-mail me or get ahold of me through facebook, it is now the quickest way I respond to most things. Peace and love, Willem

Songs telling a story

2007-08-20T20:21:00.000-04:00

1. put your music player on shuffle
2. press forward for each question
3. use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense
no cheating!

how are you feeling today? Fu-Gee-La

how do your friends see you? Let it Rain

will you get married? Who am I?

what is your best friend's theme song? Sticks and Stones

what is the story of your life? Great is Thy faithfulness

what was highschool like? Numb Encore

how can you get ahead in life? Closure

what is the best thing about your friends? Papa

what is tonight going to be like? Is This Love

what is in store for the remainder of this weekend? Do you remember?

In between

2007-08-17T15:20:00.000-04:00

YouthWorks is done, it has been for the last almost 2 weeks, but I am just slow with updating people on my life. Redeemer doesn't start for another 2 weeks for me, so right now I am in between. I like being in Barrie, I always have, but it somehow has become a place where I am always longing to go somewhere else. I used to go to Canada (on vacation) more specifically Barrie, and I would love it everytime. It was time to relax, spend time with family, enjoy nature, and be in Canada (all great things). Today when I visit Barrie, I often take the go up to Newmarket where my mom will pick me up, and after a couple of days of saying hi to family and some people in church that is about it. It is weird how the exact same place has become something completely different to me, Barrie does kind of feel like home, but it is not where I grew up and it is not where I want to be right now... Thus far for my thoughts about Barrie.

In the meantime, I am trying to keep myself busy. Finding a job in Barrie when I don't know that many people and have only limited time (about 3 weeks) is hard. And so I have been doing a lot of reading lately. I think 2007 is the year that the great secret of reading books has been revealed to me. This summer I was still able to read quite a few books, even though YW schedule didn't always allow that, but so far this is my summer reading list.

My summer of 2007 Reading list:
-Already Read
Irresisteble Revolution - Shane Claiborne
Amazing book, goes beyond an amazing story of God's love, and challenges us to be that love to others
The Cross and the Switchblade - Rev. David Wilkerson
Amazing story of How Teen Challenge came to be and how Rev. Wilkerson was lead from being a small town preacher to leading gang leaders to Christ in NYC
Three mini biographies on D.L. Moody, Billy Graham, and John Wesley
Fun to read, not very in depth, but a great overview of their lives
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
The series have ended, will there be a series in like 10 years about Albus Severus?
Under the Overpass - Mike Yankoski
Living on the streets, learning from Mike's experiences - is quite challenging

-Reading
Sidewalks in the Kingdom (New Urbanism and the Christian Faith) - Eric O. Jacobson
Something I am really interested in, basically a Christian framework for understanding Cities, Suburbs, and Urban life.

-Still to Read
Velvit Elvis - Rob Bell
Cries of the Heart - Ravi Zacharias
Blue Like Jazz - Donald Miller (I got 2/3 durin Christmas break, then I lost the book)

Anyways I feel like I am all over the place, so I will end. Peace.

I am not in the groove

2007-07-14T13:25:00.000-04:00

Well, I guess I might be in the groove. My back is feeling better after a week of pain and horrrer (my back was out due to sleeping on an air matress for 7 weeks, and it really really hurt). The unfortunate part about it is that I felt really disconnected from this group all week long. Besides monday and some part of tuesday I wasn't really able to interact with the youth all that much. I was going to sleep Wednesday evening, but then Jen didn't know I did not come to the evening actvity, which of course meant that the alarm went off... while I was trying to take it easy. But, luckily I decided to go to the chiropractor on Friday, and that really helped. One of the very positive things this week was that I was able to look in at kids club a bit more. I was able to kind of see what was going on and that was really encouraging.

There are a few really adorable kids and a few just crazy ones and together they make for an awesome bunch.

Logan is 3 years old, and he loves the attention, especially from young ladies like Saige

Alaska is a really quiet, but sweet girl her older sister Paris also comes to Kids Club and they live right across from our building, so often they are around the building looking for us.

Tamara is also a sweetie and a trouble maker, she is really sweet though.

As I was saying it was really cool to see Kids Club for a bit, it is encouraging to see all these kids have a fun time in the summer, and to see their mothers being so releaved to be able to drop of their kids for the afternoon. Cheryl is here for the weekend, which is always exciting news. Yesterday we went out for Indian and Thai food which was really good. Tonight we are going to be going to O'Conner church for a campfire. Just a time to relax and spent some time before tomorrow's youth come in again.

Next week is the first week we don't have any Minnesota natives, and in fact we have people coming from Winsconsin, Arkansas, and Alabama. The people from Alabama left yesterday morning already... wow what a long drive. The team and myself included in that would really appreciate prayer as this coming week feels like it is so much routine, and we are quite tired. Pray for God to do the stuff through us that we can not do ourselves anymore. That these from all over the states may have an awesome time.

I guess when I look at it, I am in the groove. This summer has been very exciting and challenging. A lot has happened in my personal life, within my family, while working at YouthWorks, and and so many different levels. I am learning that I don't know that much at all yet, that there is much, very much to learn. I have the feeling I am just on the edge of some of the things God is going to show me immeasurably more of.

Another Dave Walker Cartoon

2007-07-08T13:00:00.001-04:00

I really appreciate this guy's humour.

Check out his blog

Sunday afternoon

2007-07-08T12:23:00.000-04:00

Well, we are halfway through our mission trips. Today group #5 comes in, which means that we will be in for an other exciting week. This is the first week that we will have some Canadians here, which is kind of exciting. This week there will be 61 youth, and I am excited. Our last week was very encouraging. We had groups from all over the states, and it was really cool how God brought them together.

This morning I had the chance to go to First Christian Reformed Church in Thunder Bay with Steve. And we both felt that is was kind of like a homecoming, being in a reformed church surrounded by dutchies. After being in so many different churches in the last months, it was kind of nice. It was so reformed that we even had an elder reading the sermon that the pastor had written. It all ended with a great "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" and a "three-fold Amen". It was a great reformed morning.

This weekend was all in all very relaxing. We listened to the blues festival from a distance, we watched a movie in our new van with DVD player (I don't know why it is there, but it is). We had our own church service on the top of the bluffs in the rain, overlooking Thunder Bay. We had Panzerotti's, Thai Green Curry, Samosa's, Persians, and leftover BP from adult leaders. We went to a second hand bookstore, picked up some books there. All in all it was a great adventure.

The Blues festival from a distance...

Mid-Week Mania

2007-07-04T11:04:00.001-04:00

Well, it is the forth week of mission trips, and that means that after this one there are only four weeks left. Right now we are already starting mid summer evaluations for ministries and our own development and stuff. To me that is always a sign, that summer is almost gone.

This week we have an awesomegroup, we have got Baptists from Colorado, a Faith community from Winsconsin, and Lutheran's from Minnesota. All together there are probably 60 youth here, and things are going really well. Monday was a really crazy day, because of July 1st many of our ministry sites were not able to have volunteers and so we had a group of about 20 go through marina park and pick up trash. I was really praying for nice weather and good spirits. But God surpassed my imagination, because it was a tiny bit rainy that morning, but not cold. And never have I seen so many youth excited about serving their community by picking up garbage. We must have had close to 20 garbage bags full by lunch time, with hundreds or cigarette buds, and many other pieces or garbage, you imagine it, they probably picked it up. The park people really appreciated it, and the youth had an awesome experience.

The rest of the week has moved along great as well. I have been able to give a lot of the events that have been happening recently a place, and even though I will have lots and lots of reflecting left to do at the end of the summer. God is taking care of me. For those who want to pray for us as a staff, we would really appreciate it. At this time we have been busy with YouthWorks for almost 7 weeks, and there are only 4 more weeks left after this. A lot of us our really tired, and all 4 of us don't feel 100% fit and healthy, it would be really awesome if you would pray for continued strength as we try to engage these youth.

For some more random information about YouthWorks
You can find some pictures here
You can find some videos here
You can find our team blog here
You can find YouthWorks info here

Craig Vanderveen

2007-06-30T14:30:00.000-04:00

---Original message from Justin Cooper---
We are saddened by the tragic news of the death of Craig Vanderveen on Thursday evening, June 28. While visiting his family in Manitoba, he and his cousin were killed in a car accident while traveling to Winnipeg to see their grandfather. Further details of the funeral and any contact information will be provided when it becomes available. In the meantime, please pray for the Lord's grace and comfort for family and friends, particularly those in the Redeemer community who knew and worked with Craig.With resurrection hope,President Cooper

Please pray for both these families, friends, and the communities that both Craig and his cousin were part of. Until we get to meet again.

June in review

2007-06-29T21:42:00.000-04:00

Months are flying by...

Half of my time in Thunder Bay is gone now. And it is going faster than I can even imagine, right now I am very tired. Meanwhile I stopped writing this blog, went to bed, slept for 11 hours, did laundry, and have started processing a lot of things that have been going on in my life in the last week and a bit. My last week was a harder week than before, I was very tired, when the week started, and many emotions and challenges from the youth and Youthworks experience just added to this. Hearing that Craig died, is something that seems non-realistic, realizing that tomorrow the youth are going to come again, is also crazy. So, this week has been a whirlwind of events.

However, I have had the chance to have some amazing conversations with some of the youth, to spend time with them, work with them, and grow and be challenged with them. We were able to find a few new ministry opportunities, and it looks like the coming week, we get a new start, in which we will be able to see where God is taking us as a team.

Recent highlights include;

Having a very challenging, but awesome group with Justin bowling 216 (see picture)

Hiking through Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Putting up Sheet Rock at O'Conner Baptist church

After the week with the Lutherans

2007-06-16T16:04:00.000-04:00

Well, my first real week of YouthWorks is done. After 1 week in Denver, 2 weeks of prep the last week was our first one running a mission trip. It was an amazing and humbling experience, all of our groups were Lutheran and most of the churches were quite familiar with each other we had two groups from Grand Forks, ND and one group from Bemidji, MN. The youth were all between 12-14, so basically this week the trip was for junior high youth. The week was absolutely amazing. We as a staff still had some small details to work out, especially around dinner times. But, even though not everything went perfect the week was amazing. Part of the reason for that was that the adult leaders we had were very willing to help, and backed us up when needed. The youth was amazing, by wednesday they were coming back with stories about how they were part of changing the communities they were serving in and, the stories we heard on Thursday, were similar: amazing! The footwashing service was emotional, and was an amazing time of reflection of our first week as a staff, and the youth's work this week serving God and the community. For more stories throughout the summer check our very very new blog... http://www.t-bay007.blogspot.com/.

Yesterday, after all the kids left, we had to do our friday duties, which included shopping. Our 30 minute trip ended up taking us 180 minutes (that's 3 hours). So, after, no printer, dropping of Cheryl at the airport, picking up laundry, buying groceries at both the Canadian wholesale and superstore, going over our debit card balance, desperate calls, writing cheques, packing in a mini van, and a malibu full of groceries and laundry. We came back and decided we wanted pizza.

Today, we wanted to go out so we went to Mount McKay. It was quite the thrilling adventure, with an amzing view of lake superior and all of God's creation. Steve nearly fell of the cliff. And it was just an awesome time of bonding. All in all, my saturday so far has been quite relaxing, I am just very tired now.

From Mount McKay with the Sleeping Giant in the background.
Me on top of Mount McKay with the Thunder Bay (bay) of lake superior and many trees in the background

Well, we are still in Thunder Bay

2007-06-07T21:15:00.000-04:00

We are still rockin' it in Thunder Bay. Well it is Thursday now, and Sunday our first youth are coming. So, basically things really need to come together now, and I'll tell you something they are coming together. However, since I started typing this blog about 2 hours ago, someone has cancelled on me for monday, but that is part of my job, and I think I can figure it out for Monday. So to give you a bit more detail my job in the last 2 weeks. This is what I have been doing.

A lot of business like...
*Trying to schedule about 20 meetings with ministry contacts
*Having about 15 actual meetings with those contacts
*Trying to schedule all that stuff into a neat looking week
*Making, editing, and creating Directions, "crew books", notes, and much more to make other people understand all the ramblings that go on in my brain

On the less business said of my body and brain, I have been having lots of fun
*Having Root Beer Floats, or other Ice-cream creations
*Goofing of with my awesome staff
*Having many SB's DQ's TH's MCD's KFC's or other delicious snacks with awesome people
*Loving Jesus, and realizing that he did a much better job at a lot of things than even those things I think I am really good at.

Then between business and fun, God has been changing my life
*The weekend was really hard for me, I was feeling a bit down, and wondered why the keck I was in Thunder Bay of all places
*I also had one of those occasional desires that (unfortunately) pops up in my brain to decide how the rest of my life is going to look
*Meeting with a guy named Pastor Sky was a pretty good remedy to those kind of thoughts, hearing his story of trusting God, even when God brought him to T-Bay, where he now has an amazing vision to set up this youth centre and career area, for disadvantaged youth

And all of this just happened in a bit more than a week, seeing that God has about 8 more in store for me with YouthWorks! this summer, it will be quite the adventure.

Pictures from our Thunder Bay team

2007-05-31T00:24:00.000-04:00

My Site Director Jenn trying to kill me with a plastic knife and me calling my Area Director Lisa in despair while waiting at Toronto airportMe and my roomie Steven Timothy Dykstra

Our awesome team shot on the docks in T-Bay

Our team sitting on the docks contemplating an exciting summer about to happen. (LtR - Willem, Jenn, Rachel, Steve, Shannon)

One of the empty grain elevators in T-bay, they are really big...

Moving into T-bay

2007-05-29T22:26:00.000-04:00

T-what? - T-Bay!

Yes I have arrived in Thunder Bay, actually I have been in Thunder Bay since Friday night (saturday morning) 1:30 am already. So, last week on the monday morning (after Rach called me at about 3:00 am) I went to Toronto, for 5 days of training just north of Denver in Broomfield. The church all the Canadians and the Western region of Youthworks stayed at was awesome. That Monday was exhausting. Between waking up at 2:30 am , 2 hour of time difference, about 6 hours of travelling, and doing our first information sessions. I was exhausted. I wasn't really catching the vision quite yet, but as the week proceded, and I learned more about my role as Urban staff, I got challenged more and more. And even more than being challenged I realized what an amazing privilege it is that God gave me this opportunity to serve with Youthworks this summer. So training was cool there were a bunch of cool Americans out there. And during the poverty simulation we as Canadians didn't have to worry about paying healthcare.

Friday morning we got up early to travel to T-Bay, to most better known as Thunder Bay. After about 14 hours of travelling, 3 flights, starbucks, Quiznos, 3 hour delay, amazing conversations with Jenn, Rachel (from Youthworks), and Shannon. We arrived in Thunder Bay. We packed all the stuff in a cab and slept at the hotel. The next morning we went to the church which I will call home for the rest of the summer, because not only do I attend and serve there, I sleep there as well - Elim Community Christian Centre. The first days we spend a lot of time with the team (Jenn, Steve, Rachel, and Shannon). Having fun and getting a bit familiar with the city of Thunder Bay.

Since Sunday I have been very busy with establishing relationships with my community contacts. As the urban staff, I have to coordinate all the volunteer opportunitites of the youth that come for the mission trips. And so my last two days I have been busy with making appointments for meetings, going to meetings, filling in charts, and trying to work out this logistical bonanza.

It is really cool what God is doing, is has been really hard at times to stay at ease and not be scared by the amount of work that I still need to do. I have been blessed by an amazing team, and in fact, I have already been challenged to change many of the things that I have always considered normal in my life. This experience is changing my life. As Shane Claiborne has put it, I think "Jesus is wrecking my life".

Also, I am reading a childrens biography about D.L. Moody

Denver, Thunder Bay, Toronto

2007-05-20T21:08:00.000-04:00

Well, currently I am still getting ready, finishing my packing and tomorrow I am flying from YYZ (Toronto) to Denver for a week of training with youthworks. Then on Friday I am heading out to Thunder Bay to lead mission trips for 8 weeks after 2 weeks of preperations which we will start with in Thunder Bay when we arrive there. And when the mission trips start is going to be 8 weeks of craziness, I can't wait. I am working with 4 other people in Thunder Bay. Steve Dijkstra will be roomie for the summer which is super cool because, it is somebody I know and I have lead the Hamilton mission trip with him before. The other people on our team our my site director Jen Troelstra, Rachel Dunn, and Shannon Kelly. I don't really have an idea who these people are yet, but I am sure I will know them a bit better by the end of this adventure.

During my Youthworks experiene I'll try to keep this blog updated. I'll try to tell you stories of what God is doing in my life and in the lives of those around me. At the end of the Thunder Bay adventure we are going back to Toronto for a debrief (exit-ramp).

This summer is going to be different again, I am quite positive that I will miss people, Rachel for example. But, I get to serve God in a way that excites every inch of my body (sounds like Kuyper, that's scary). So I am excited about this adventure.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26

Please come visit me

2007-05-07T11:50:00.000-04:00

Well, I know that I am often far away from my family and friends in Holland and other people are far away from their family and friends. But, just come visit me, here are the directions, it is not that expensive. Although step 41 might take a bit of time, but that's all.

Honestly

2007-05-05T21:02:00.000-04:00

Honestly, I don't know how well I will continue to update this blog, but today I will at least update it. I am halfway done my undergrad, which I guess is a really cool thing. I have enjoyed many of the courses I have taken, but have been even more enriched and challenged by some of the activites outside the classroom. This year, was completely different from anything that I expected it to be. I expected my second year to be first year part II. However, there were new people, new struggles, and new brokeness and beauty.

After first semester I was not doing that great, I struggled a lot with my faith, in the way that I did not care about it that much. I can't do things on my own, I can't...
"you can’t do this alone! you can’t work/grind hard enough to make this happen, to pull this off. this i will do great things through you, but you must walk, stand, run, hide, jump, fly with me. it is all through me. don’t go it alone or you will fall and you will fall hard. it will be violent and bloody (spiritually). please trust my word, i am telling you now."
That is what God told me and some of the people that mean a lot to me at the beginning of this school year. I think it took me a while to listen to that.

It is a slow process growing from brokeness to healing, from insecurity to trust, from earthly to spiritually, from me to God. But, then there are people helpingme people caring for me. People learning to challenge me, and I try to challenge others in the same way.

I was set on working in Barrie this summer, living in Barrie, making the money, living at home... I am happy I am not going to do that, although I would love to spend more time with my mother and some family. I am excited about what God has told me through people around about, community, my summer, God's plans, and something called Youth Works. So, this summer I will be leading mission trips, where I don't know yet, I know it will be in Thunder Bay, Vancouver, or Toronto, but I don't know where. Please pray that God will use me as his servant, that I can influences the teens I will be hanging out with in a Christ-like way. That's it for now.

Random library doings

2007-03-20T21:48:00.000-04:00

Something I stole from Brian Dijkema's old blog.

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Turn to page 23
3. Take line #5
4. Post it on your blog

It is that sorry history that both lies at the root of the postmodern attack on totlalizing power of reason and gives shape to the postmodern imperative to include the "other" and to make room for the "different".

The Hermeneutucs of Charity - James K.A. Smith and Henry Isaac Venema

Some pictures from my Christmas break in Holland

2007-03-03T23:25:00.000-05:00

Arriving by train, being suprised by friends Spending time with family including Lian

Playing Axis and Allies, with some other crazy peeps

Being able to see Dorna and Daniel and so many other people, I have missed

Having to sleep at the JFK holiday Inn, and leaving very early the next morning, able to see the sunrise

wow, that was awesome

2007-03-03T23:15:00.000-05:00

Wow that was awesome, today a bunch of Redeemer people went on the ski trip at Mount St. Louis, after a day that started by leaving at 6:30 am, we came back at 7:30 pm, I was quite satisfied. Awesome park, beautifull conditions, occasional powder, no major injuries, great people

Wow that was awesome, relaxing during reading break, after going to Barrie for almost a week, I went to a cottage with Rachel's family. It was rather relaxing, just talking playing games, enjoying God's creation, I appreciate it
Rach and I during reading break, look at my hair, isn't it styling

Wow that was awesome, being inspired and encouraged by words of prayer again, during the CITB prayer meeting, during chapel the next day, with Rachel on Friday, and with Jesus all those times.

Wow that was awsome, the 4th snow (ice) class cancellations of the year. My midterm gor post-poned for a week. And I got to relax just for a bit on Thursday.

Wow.

Snow Day!

2007-02-13T23:36:00.000-05:00

Canadian Government, Introduction to philosophy, Canadian Foreign Policy, Church in the Box Social

Winners, Crazy Car drifting, Snowboarding in the back hills, going to Kelsey's for Matt V's birthday - In General a snow day.

I prefer the second one and that is what we got today.

Environment Canada, has estimated and average of 75 cm of snow in the Hamilton area. So, ya classes were cancelled today, and I am betting on classes being cancelled for tomorrow. Instead about 8 of us went snowboarding at the back hills of Redeemer, where a few weeks ago we had already built a nice jumps, that provided a great jump for today's fun. Here is a picture of the school closures of this morning - it includes Redeemer.

So, this is the second day of in the year, and for a Canadian-Dutchie like me this is quite exciting. A couple weeks ago we had a crazy ice-storm, in which everything was covered in ice. Here are a few pictures of that.

Twigs covered in ice
Chains covered in ice

Everything was covered in ice, trees, plants, corn, walls. lamps, even grass. It is awesome that we are actually having a real winter, it didn't look like it at all, but I really appreciate it.

Marching to Zion

2007-01-27T23:13:00.000-05:00

This post might seem like a bit of a confusing one to you, but I am being honest and sharing about what I am learning from and stuggling with. In the last about 36 hours I spent 10 driving, 7 sleeping, 14 learning, and about 5 eating, socializing, and etcetarizing. I'll explain, Friday morning at 7:45 Laura Stewart, Joy GN, Syd Hielema, and I left Redeemer to got to the worship symposium at Calvin, the original plans of leaving on thursday were cancelled due to closed highways.

This oppurtunity to learn about worship, prayer within worship, and hundreds of things surrounding worship was provided to me through Church in the Box. This weekend I got to experience worship, in a way that was quite refreshing. Three times I was taught about the Psalms and how to pray them. Three times, I worshipped with many other believers in the chapel. Way more that three times did God touch me this weekend.

In the last half year I have learned that there is more to prayer than, closing you eyes, folding your hands, and perhaps kneeling down. Especially in groups I have been challenged on how to pray with and for others. I have the feeling that it was a lot of falling, and very little climbing, however, God has shown me a bit differently.

When I was in Holland, God gave me rest, strength, and a renewed sort of Spirit. I am still figuring out what this is, but it is good. Sunday the 21st (CITB sunday) I prayed with, talked with, listened to, and learned from all kinds of people. When I came to my dorm between prayer and the service I was exhausted, I fell asleep, I was still tired the next day. But, I was also restored. As Pslam 23 says "He restoures my nefesh (Hebrew for more than soul or body, it is all of ones being)", and He did.

I know this blog is all over the place, but I am also still figuring out where all this is going. If you feel so inclined to pray for me, you can pray for discernment between my and God's voice. Thanks for the support you have all given me even though you probably do not realize it. In His service, Willem

Btw, If you want to read a interesting piece on how a CITB sunday can be, check this out

Heading back home

2006-12-20T20:58:00.000-05:00

Well tomorrow I get to go to Holland again. The last time I was their was in the morning of July 26th, 2005. I remember my mother and my good friend Bas driving me to the airport as we were having discussions about the role of the United States in world politics and wars. Tomorrow another good friend of mine will be driving me to the airport, this time Joy Johnson is driving me and I am flying from Buffalo, through Washington, to Amsterdam. I can't wait!

I have been at Redeemer for 3 semesters now, and it has been and still is probably one of the greatest blessings that I have witnessed in my life. However, the last semeseter was harder for me than my first two in first year. Besides overcommiting to certain activities, spriritually and emotionally this semester has been very draining. Finding the drive to do all my homework, keep close knit relations with all my friends, being there for Rachel and people in my dorm, and mainly devoting time to God. It has all proven kind of challenging this semester. But, I know God has big plans. Tomorrow I get to go back home, well I get to go back to one of my homes.

18 years of my life, home was Holland, more specifically Ede, my schools, and the church there. Last year my home got taken away, well I took it away. Going to Redeemer and Canada, gave me two new homes, Barrie where my mom and family is, and Redeemer itself. However, nowhere really felt or still feels like my home. But, tomorrow I have the feeling I am coming home, and that is not specifically Holland or Ede. It is taking a break from the earthly things that have kept me busy, returning to friends, enjoying the blessings in my life, and mostly God.

Yes, I am quite excited and ready to go "home".

TIme flies..

2006-12-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

It has been a little while since I have last let people know what has been happening in my life. And since I can't get to the text I need for my sociology assignment, I am writing this update.

Academica

November has proved itself to be a great month. The beginning of November was mainly devoted to writing midterms and assignments, now school has moved on to paper season. Yesterday at midnight my political science term paper was due, and I finished writing it at 10:30 in the morning. At 4pm it was time to do a bit of editing, to hand in the paper at the library right after that. However, it is clear that nothing goes as planned, I spend the next 2 hours trying to recover my paper, after WordPerfect, made it a lot less perfect. Nevertheless, in the end I was able to hand in my paper.

Strange News

Squirrels, you know the little animals, depicted pretty and lovely in fairy tails and cartoons, known as terrorists and fried food at Redeemer. Last weekend a squirrel came into the transformer and put down power on all of campus. Even though I wasn't there for the evacuation, sleeping in hotels and pizza. Which I think is sad, because it would have been fun. I want to pay tribute to the squirrel that changed Redeemer's fall semester of 2006.

Weekends

Well,last weekend the Go Transit system took me to Barrie for the weekend, this weekend the VanMarum family van, will take me to Sarnia to celebrate Rachel's birthday, which is tomorrow. Barrie was very relaxing for Rachel and I, long nights of sleep, the Timothy Christian School bazaar, a mall trip turned 8km walk on the most beautifull saturday if the month, and a really refreshing sermon in church on sunday. This weekend looks to be fun as well, it's a birthday party after all.

The Motherland

My trip to the Netherlands is still planned for December the 21st, after visiting Jeroen and Jacq for a bit, I'll be heading to Ede for most of the time, I can't wait to see all the family and friends, many of whom I have not seen in 1,5 years. As for all of you that live in Holland, my unofficial trading company is still operating, I can take any food, gift, or animal to Holland this Chirstmas. Maybe, the animal is a bad idea, but let me know.

Closing remarks

It is crazy to see how quick time flies (as do pigs app, it feels like a couple weeks ago, that I was busy with all the First year introduction events. And now I only have one week of classes left!

I wish everybody a great week, and a jolly great december, seeing that I will probably see most of you in December, I'l say, see you later.. In Christ, Willem

Politieke zaken

2006-11-23T09:06:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the Dutch parliamentary 2nd chamber elections took place. See this article to get a pretty good idea of where Dutch politics are at. I got to vote online this year, it is an experiment from the federal governmenr, and according to me saves considerable time and money. The Christian union under leadership of Andre Rouvoet doubled in seats and is now at 6 seats in the 2nd chamber. First indications are that the Christian union might be involved in a three-fold coalition government. With the Christian democrats, the labour party and the Christian union who together would hold a mojority of 79 of the 150 seats. However, negotiating on this matter will prove itself to be very hard due to differences between the Christian democrats and the labour party.

Prayer

2006-11-10T23:50:00.000-05:00

A few things about prayer.

Pray without ceasing

The 24-7 prayer room will be open for the rest of the semester, feel free to use it whenever you want, if you want to be sure of a spot sign up for a slot.

If you ever have any prayer requests, post it on this prayer blog, it is a blog for prayer in the Redeemer community, feel free to add your prayers.

The last month there was a focus on prayer within Redeemer, from chapel, 24-7 prayer, CITB, Leadership dinner to the fall entreat God told us about praying through many different people.

I would like to leave you with this piece of scripture:
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. - Mark 11:24

Pitching Tents

2006-11-10T23:48:00.000-05:00

Steve showed me this one, I am posting it though... Poor pastor.

Biblical names

2006-11-06T12:35:00.000-05:00

Everybody in my dorm has a biblical name, I don't...

Steve - Stephen
Ben - Benjamin
James - James
Nathan - Nathanial
Josh - Joshua
Matt - Matthew
Peter - Peter

Willem - ....

So Karen Shields decided to give me a biblical name.. - Barnabas

So from now on, please refer to me as Barnabas.

(That's Barnabas)

Impressions from SMC 2006

2006-10-31T11:41:00.000-05:00

The Barn at night, heart of the SMC community, that's where the food is!

My favourite twins Dallis and Brook-lynn and Figi in the middleThe climbing wall on top of the hill....
The SMC 2006 teamThe Caledon hills, my home for 2 months
My horrible camper, however, you learn to love every camper deep down in your heart, especially this guy.Singing "we love you campers, deep down in our hears" after another week of camp

Reading break / 24-7 prayer

2006-10-31T10:14:00.000-05:00

I love reading break weekend, especially this year! Thanks to all Christian school teachers who fill up Redeemer, so that we have to leave. Last year I was working for Food Services during reading break, making 1000 subs, it was quite the challenge... This year I went to Sarnia with Rachel to meet the rest of her family and see her hometown, it was quite the challenge... However, I loved it! My reading break was awesome, it was good to finally be able to spend some time with Rachel again, to meet her sisters, other family, etc.

The weekend was really relaxing and I am ready for school once again! Yeserday 24-7 prayer started. It is super exciting to see what God is going to do. How people just go in and pray for an hour straight and they wonder where their time has gone. It is awesome to see that only spots on saturday and sunday are left open at the moment. And I am sure they will fill up.

Well, I'd better get back to some school work.

11:35pm

2006-10-17T23:35:00.000-04:00

It just feels like on of those times that updating my blog feels like the natural thing to do. Today, was a good day! I was mainly busying with studying for my midterm and finishing my essay in Sociology 241 Crime and Deviance. However, other events included buying a ticket for Tom and Sarah's stag and doe, having coffee in the morning with Rachel, reading a few blogs, and having the weekly prayer meeting with Church in the Box prayer team.

The weekend was a pleasant one, especially the saturday. In the morning my roommate Steve and I went fishing with Dean Schat, this was something I bought at the hobbies for hiltop auction last year. After an intense morning of wrestling with 30 pound fish (we didn't get even a nibble), we went back to Redeemer. I went to Toronto with Rachel for the rest of the day, she had no clue were we wer going I of course did. We had a great day, talking, walking, laughing and whatever else you do during a day like that.

Us in a small park within the Sheraton hotel.
Sunset as seen from the CN tower, I had not been up there since I was 8 or something like that. (those are not UFO's they are reflections of light bulbs inside the CN tower)

The weekend past and monday came into being. When I entered the school just after 11am in the morning, I was curious to see what the business was all about. It was the annual book give away, and I greatly expanded my collection. Among the books I got was the three part "common grace" series in Dutch (Gemeene gratie) bij Abraham Kuyper (in great condition, from 1988), three other Kuyper books, the autobiography of Malcolm X, the Democratization of American Christianity, and some other books. It was a very pleasant suprise.

Now it is time to do some reading, God bless, Willem

Willem needs

2006-10-13T14:59:00.000-04:00

I think I don't have to explain this post, but I will anyways. I typed in "Willem needs" on google, and this is apparently what I need. I mean if Katrina can put it on her blog, so can I! So without further ado the 10 things Willem needs.

Willem needs another session (what for? I feel quite sane)
Willem needs help from SARA with running (Well, I am not an excelled sprinter, but Sara can come by anytime)
Willem needs her help rescuing the child of a vampire he has been guarding (That is just creepy)
Willem needs you (Yah, I need you!!)
Willem needs to get out in the world and realize what he has at home (Love you mom!)
Willem needs glasses (I have some already, but google is right, I think they might break soon)
Willem needs to have his face smacked in with a German English dictionary (Well, that is a concerning image)
Willem needs his coffee, d*mm*t! he needs it with sugar and creamer! (It is true that is how I drink my coffee)
Willem needs to renew his passport anyway (True again, my Dutch passport expires in December
Willem needs to take him in the back room and have THE talk with him . . . you know the one about " you never say this to a woman " talk (Ya, I guess I need to have that talk with someone, maybe with my roommate Steve)

In today's news

2006-10-13T01:49:00.000-04:00

Check out this news article.

It was about the plane that flew into a luxury apartment complex in New York yesterday. A former Toronto Blue Jays and now New York Yankees pitcher, flew the plane into this building. What I found very interesting, scary and a whole lot of other feelings I can't describe is the fact that fighter jets were sent to patrol the skies over numerous North American cities. Including, Ottawa, New York, LA, Seattle and Washington DC.

I don't really know why it caught my attention, I don't really know what I think about it yet...

midterms, soccer,events

2006-10-13T01:36:00.000-04:00

Well, this week was kind of crazy. First of all I think that Redeemer should never ever do another monday schedule on Tuesday. That out a lot of unnecessary pressure on things, such as my studying for my biology midterm. To be quite honest, I did not feel very prepared coming in to that midterm on wednesday, neither did the majority of the class. Luckily, it went a bit better than expected, and I am actually not that scared about it.

I am also still in anticipation about voter registration for the coming Dutch elections in November. Registration was due on October 10, I sent it on October 2nd, but it had to go through the Dutch embessay and everything, (bureaucracy!?). What I did get in my mailbox on wednesday was my ticket to the Netherlands. I was so excited and definately not expecting that yet.

Today the indoor soccer leauge I am involved in got started. We played 2 games already, the first game we lost 3-0, however, it was a good game. The 2nd game we wer all over the other team and we won 5-0. Eli Perrof was on fire, he scored several and assisted to. I think I got an assist in as well.

Afterwards it was a quick rush to be in time for Hot Spot, Nathan and I came in a bit late, but it was still an awesome time of worship! Tomorrow is friday, should be a good day.

That's about it for now. In Christ, Willem

Back to Holland!

2006-10-09T11:05:00.000-04:00

July 26, 2005 I left Holland for Redeemer.

December 21, 2006 I will return and I will arrive in the morning of the 22nd.

In other words, I am visiting Holland for 2 weeks!! I'll be there from the 22nd - 3rd!

Lot's of people to visit, lot's of things to do. Hopefully I'll have enough time.

I am excited.

My flight there is Buffalo - Washington DC - Amsterdam
My flight back is Amsterdam - New York JFK - Buffalo

I'm so excited! (that's the 2nd time I said that)

If there are any request for shipment, Willem's unofficial business is know open. This works both ways of course. From Canada to Holland, and from Holland to Canada. I can't take very large amounts because I am going throught th US... The customs there think they are tough ( I agree with them)

Well, let's write a paper.

Psalm 103

2006-10-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

We have so much to be thankful for. Today this Psalm was mentioned twice to me, by completely different people, in completely different places. It is a Psalm that fits with thanksgiving.

The words in bold print in the first 5 verses can be asked as question, try to think of them that way, verse 6 gives us the answer.

Psalm 103
Of David.
1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
- NIV

Dutch Culture

2006-10-08T22:06:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I find it hard to bring over an experience that I had in Holland, something unique from my culture, that is something different than droppies. This TV show, however, is something I can shar, because it is in English. Enjoy. (I am not a fan of Jerry Springer at all, but this is funny)

Short headlines

2006-10-02T19:33:00.000-04:00

I am excited about the indoor soccer league that is going to start the thursday after thanksgiving. Today our team came together and we had a practice, it was awesome. So beware of the red team, we will come up with a better name.

Also, the weekend was good, friday night I went to the girls soccer game, the men's volleyball game, and the hockey game. A good night of Athletics I would say. And saturday after an awesome day of ATeam training, political science research (see Academic news) Josh Vyn, Matt Young, Liz Kikkert and I went to Kikkert's place for some episodes of the office and some hot-tubbing

In other news, I most likely will be returning to my home nation for a short visit (2 weeks) I am so excited! It will probably be a visit from the 21st of December - Januari 3rd

Today, was also the day that I sent away my voters application to the embassy in Ottawa, I should be on time, to be able to vote for the upcoming Dutch elections, if it goes through I will be voting online!

In Academic news, today was the day that I handed in my topic and bibliography for my Politcal Science 225 class: American Government. Tomorrow the Research question for my Sociology 241: Crime and Deviance class, any ideas?

That's it for now, God bless and good night.

Weekend

2006-09-25T19:02:00.002-04:00

The end of last week was beautiful, it was a great weekend. It started on thursday evening, Starfield entered town. On their beauty in the broken tour the Hamilton stop was Redeemer University College, formeit was a completely new experience, because I got to help out a bit, selling merchandise, breaking down after the concert and of course the concert itself. The night was a big highlight, it was just an awesome oppertunity for the Redeemer community and the surrounding community to come out and worship. Besides the main band Starfield, Drew Brown and speaker David Nassar made the night an awesome time. It was awesome to see after the show how nice and friendly these guys were, they helped clean up their own mess, and they were just up for a fun time.

Starfield

When bedtime came around, and Friday came along, I was once again rally excited about the night, this night would be Blue Jays game # 4 for me this season, after the bus was really late, and we did not arrive until the 1st inning had ended, we could finally sit down and relax. The game was not a great one, we lost 7-1, but it was a fun night, and the very expensive fries, were really good!

Blue Jays

Once again, bedtime came around, and when I woke up reall early on saturday, it was time for CrossCulture. If I am notmistaking close to 200 people (students, youth groups, random individuals and others) cam for a day of service and worship. We met early in the morning at Hamilton place, after praying and registration the day started with some worship after which everybody went to about 20 different work sites to serve others. Together with Matt Brandsma and Jessica we went to Little Bethel Baptist Church and to Philpott Memorial Church for SISO. Most of the day we were busy moving stuff around and just offering our hands, oh yeah and this car almost hit us. When I went home in the afternoon I was dead tired after some sleeping, showering and eating. I went to the Ancaster fair with Monika, Jenessa, Julianne, Matt Vanmarum and Rachel we went to the fair for the demo-derby, this was highly succesful, I mean rainy. We went back and played spoons at dorm 31.

CrossCulture

It was time to go to bed once again, sunday morning I went to Fellowship, the service was really good, it is really cool to see the church alive for God. And from 3pm on it was Church in the Box that took most of my attention. Yesterday, was the first service of the year. The theme for the service was, "This is your Life, are you who you wan't to be?" This is the title of a switchfoot song, and God really used Pastor John Vanderstoep to bring across the message. Who do we want to be? The big man on campus, or the guy who ones the BMW and the big wallet (...?) in 25 years. Or do we want to be the one who dwells in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 27:4). He gave us that challenge. We settle for such little joy nowadays, God is offering us a place in his House, and we too often choose for the little earthly things.

Church in the Box

When all that was done, and after spending some time with friends, Rachel, God, and other people my weekend was done. I went back to bde once again. When I woke up, I realized that school was kicking in again. So, let's get back to work.

God bless, Willem

Net Worth

2006-09-18T15:34:00.000-04:00

I found this article in the Spectator this morning. I am so happy to have a newspaper again..

Net worth reaches $142,900 per person

WEALTH

The Canadian Press
OTTAWA (Sep 18, 2006)

Statistics Canada reports that national net worth reached $4.7 trillion by the end of the second quarter, or $142,900 per person. Rising residential real estate costs accounted for about two thirds of the increase. But gains in household net worth stalled- recording the lowest growth rate in seven quarters.

There was also reduced values in corporate shares and mutual funds.

Now I wonder, could I take some money out of that "account" to pay my tuition... I will pay it back later

worship...

2006-09-17T13:23:00.000-04:00

One of the best blogs on the internet (according to me) provided me with this cartoon, I found it was in good relationship to what is happening coming saturday. What is that? You might ask. Well as posted before CrossCulture is happening for the second time here in Hamilton. It seems like God is preparing the city for some awesome time of worship through service. Worship as a lifestyle you could say. So, if you have not signed up yet do it now!
http://myspace.com/crossculture905

source: cartoonchurch.com

Dorm 36 goals

2006-09-12T13:29:00.000-04:00

To get a picture of our upstairs bathroom in the yearbook!
- we are decorating it to the fullest!

To go over to all of 3rd paring lot for dinner
- and bring our famous apple crisp

To be involved in every club at Redeemer
- I think we don't have tea-kwando and Redeemer for Life yet

To have an awesome year full of memories
- That won't be a problem

To put the Academic building on a hill and have a slip and slide down to the dorms
- Awesome idea Josh!!!

Get cable TV (or disguise a satelite dish as a lawn gnome)
- Good luck Matt

God's plan

2006-09-06T23:23:00.000-04:00

Someone once really forced the line "let go, let God" on me. Until this week that line was pretty specific to that one situation and I did not see it in any other part of my life. However, God brought me back for another year here at Redeemer, and I got to let go and let God take over. My first week at Redeemer this year is about halfway through, and it has been a whirlwind of excitement, events, activities and people. This whirlwind, however, is very tiering. Between running activities, going to meetings, work that is about start, syllabi that show great amounts of work that have to be done, finding time for God! and spending time with friends.

Maybe I am doing to much

Maybe I should learn to say no

Maybe I am not giving God enough of my time

Maybe I should let go and let God take the lead

Maybe I should not be involved in some of the things I am invloved in

Maybe it is time to "be still and know that I am God"

Don't get me wrong, God has already given me so much since I have been nack at Redeemer, and I am loving the fact that I am back here at Redeemer. These questions I just asked could probably all be answered with yes. However, I think there is more to that, I know that God has given me some special gifts, that I can use to further His kingdom. And I am probably involved in these events for a reason. God will teach me something new, He will provide. Why am I writing all of this than, I would appreciate if you could remember me in your prayers. When at the end of this summer a prayer team of the Scott Mission prayed for me, God gave me a promise for this year, his prayer gave me the energy and passion I needed. Prayer works!! Therefore, I would appreciate the prayer.

Also I want to thank so many people that have already spoken words of encouragement to me in recent days, people that have already said that they will keep me in their prayers and people that have just encouraged me with being around and taking care of me. Thanks be to God. In Christ, Willem

It just takes away my breath...

2006-09-01T01:27:00.000-04:00

A great feeling...

2006-09-01T01:05:00.000-04:00

...being back at Redeemer
...seeing all those familiar smiling faces
...completely changing my sleeping pattern (again)
...having my room all set up for the coming year
...being back in this community
...hearing peoples stories of the summer
...preparing for next week
...being with friends
...being ready for God's plans for the coming year

It just makes me want to smile!

Disney's reaction to the demotion of Pluto

2006-08-29T15:41:00.000-04:00

In reaction to news today that Pluto was demoted to the status of "dwarf planet," the Seven Dwarfs issued their own short statement:

"Although we think it's DOPEY that Pluto has been downgraded to a dwarf planet, which has made some people GRUMPY and others just SLEEPY, we are not BASHFUL in saying we would be HAPPY if Disney's Pluto would join us as an 8th dwarf. We think this is just what the DOC ordered and is nothing to SNEEZE at."

As Mickey Mouse's faithful companion, Pluto made his debut in 1930 – the same year that scientists discovered what they believed was a ninth planet.

Said a white-gloved, yellow-shoed source close to Disney's top dog, "I think the whole thing is goofy. Pluto has never been interested in astronomy before, other than maybe an occasional howl at the moon."

(A not from Willem - a very smart way for Disney to get free publicity and be in the news in a very positive way, also do schools have to revise all their textbooks now??)

Giving to the poor

2006-08-24T19:32:00.000-04:00

In the passage where the New Testament says that everyone must work, it gives us a reason'in order that he may have something to give to those in need'. Charity- giving to the poor - is an essential part of Christian morality: in the frightening parable of the sheep and the goats it seems to be the point on which everything turns. Some people nowadays say that charity ought to be unnecessary and that instead of giving to the poor we ought to be producing a societyin which there were no poor to give to. they may be quite right in saying that we ought to produce that kind of society. But if anyone thinks that, as a consequence, you can stop giving in the meantime, then he has parted company with all Christian morality. I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc., is up to the standerd common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away to little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are to small.

- C.S. Lewis

Bocelli

2006-08-23T21:18:00.000-04:00

For several days now, I have been wondering what to do with my lack of recent blogging. Even though I knew the answer was start blogging again, I didn't really do that. However, I now have found an insperation, my writer's block has vanished. I am listening to Andrea Bocelli, the perfect music to just sit back and write. What about I do not know yet. I have the option to become highly philosophical orI can what has happened recently in my life.

To be original I will start with the last one. Last saturday I finished my work at Scott Mission Camp (SMC). Seven weeks long I lived on a beautiful property in the Caledon hills. After one week of pre-camp 6 camp sessions followed. After session 1-4 I was certain that even though the challenge was great, I would not return to camp. I was exhausted and sometimes camp just got too much. However, I had to go back for 2 more weeks, first youthweek and than another normal session (session 5).

to large amounts of marijuana. This meant that for the rest of the week there were only 4 campers in my cabin, which was a true blessing from God. During normal weeks we as counsellors prepare devotions and try to get discussion going between everyone in the cabin. However, since we only had 4 campers we gave each camper the oppertunity to share their own testimony and questions. It was really encouraging to see that all these 4 young men (they were all 17 or almost 17) had some form of trust in God. Defining this past that point seemed a greater challenge though. However, God really spoke through us as counsellors and the hunger that these guys had for Christ in their life was fed tThe youth session was absolutely amazing, insteas of about 100 7-14 year old kids there were about 80 14-17 year old kids. The atmosphere was completely different than normal sessions to. Where normally I have to really by on my campers and make them do simple stuff, this week was way more relaxing. Nevertheless, the week started of a bit roughly, the first night 3 of the campers in my cabin got sent home, actually the police took them away, they all had brought stuff on to camp property that was not allowed. This "stuff" ranged from knives and ligher fluido a certain, extend. God let us plant many seeds, seeds that maybe one day will be sowed by the grace of God. My last week at camp was also much better than the weeks before, my cabin was a blessing and God really gave me the strength and patience to enjoy every moment of it.

Here a picture of the Scott Mission Camp grounds (sorry, it is very small!, hopefully you can still see the beauty)

Thus SMC '06 came to an end. On saturday morning, Heather picked me up and we headed to the Joshua House near Cambridge for an absolutely great retreat. 7 people from the church in the box team came together, and we discussed and talked about our heading for the coming year. The amount of work we got done was amazing, and the talks, relaxing, food and worship were all blessings that made the weekend complete. Monday I came home. I am now in Barrie to the end of my summer break. Which is one week from now, on the 30th I go back to start my 2nd year of Redeemer. The way it looks now, it is going to be an action packed year, in which God will hopefully really play the central role on campus and in our lives. When I made a short stop at Redeemer on the weekend to visit Rachel it was made obvious that a lot still needs to happen before school starts (we have no roads at the moment). But, last year we lasted without an entire library for a ful semester, it can't be that bad! Well, for all you Redeemerites I hope to see you soon (very soon). For everybody else, I also hope that I see you soon to.

God bless, Willem

I guess there are no deep philosophical thougths in this post, maybe later.

2006-08-21T19:45:00.000-04:00

http://www.myspace.com/crossculture905">

Hamilton Place Studio Theatre, Redeemer U/C

when?

September 23rd, 2006; 9 am - 7 pm

what?

worship through service, service through worship.

Crossculture was born out of a few individuals who were challenged by God to really think big in making a difference in their community. The vision was to have a full day of service in the Hamilton community in order to bless the city in which we live, and to give visible and tangible expression to Christ's love for the city. Last April 1st, this vision culminated in 103 students giving up their day to worship and serve the community.

Check out the http://www.myspace.com/crossculture905">Cross Culture MySpace, including the CH News video clip filmed last April.

This is an event not to be missed: for sign-up or more information, contact Matt Pamplin at mpampli@redeemer.on.ca, or (905) 648-2131 ext. 4289

well...

2006-08-06T22:09:00.000-04:00

Well, life just keeps on going. Before I knew that I had started my job at SMC, I only have 2 weeks left. The coming week is youthweek and should bring some completely new challenges. The last week have been filled with many challenges that varied from dealing with broken families, breaking up fights, very very bad language, disrepect for women, disrepect for God, trying to be a strong example of a Christian, trying to stay energized with a lack of sleep, being a sort of a father figure for some campers. However, my weeks are also filled with, awesome devotions, learning to dunk, great food, leading campers to Christ, challenging campers during devotions, finally making a breakthrough with a certain camper, scoring amazing goals in soccer, doing a high ropes course, meeting new people, making new friends, I could go on for a long time.

Yes, God is providing in my life. Only 26 days from now I am returning to Redeemer. And after about a week of planning and meeting, my second year will finally start. I have in recent days aquired 3 new things that should make my life at Redeemer even more comfortable. Just before I left for SMC, I picked up a cheap bike at a garage sale (oh yah!) On friday I bought myself a MP3 player. I finally gave in to the rage (see picture) 6GB and it is alrady half filled 2 days later. And today I picked up a free BBQ that was standing lonely on a nearby street, so know this everybody DORM 36 now has a BBQ to go with their porch out back!

(My new addition to my personal gear, I feel a bit greedy buying something like that, but it is pretty cool)

Well that is it for know, God bless, Willem

1 and 1

2006-07-27T13:57:00.000-04:00

So, exactly one year and one day ago, I left the Netherlands and changed countries. My time in Canada has been very blessed, times with family, people at Redeemer, and God's plans for my summer are all part of the reason why this has been and still is such a blessing.
Today I am also halfway through my employment at SMC. It has been a really different experience, God is teaching me a lot, about His word, our mission and so many other aspects of life. In the weekends I am really tired, but it is really worth it, living on SMC property is some sort of new separate reality. Being away from the busy world is an amazing, but sometimes difficult thing. Therefore, also my apologies if contact with me has been very rare over the last 4 weeks. Saturday Session 3 is done again. And for me there will only be 3 sessions left. I ask that you would continue to pray for me and for all the other people at SMC, because God is doing miracles here. In a later part I will share some testimonies about everything here.

God bless, Willem

SMC

2006-07-16T16:13:00.000-04:00

My blog (actually my blog template) was down for the last couple of weeks, I don't know exactly what all happened, but at least it is now running again. It is kind of too bad that my old template is gone because I really liked it, but this will do.

Two weeks ago on monday July 2nd I left for Scott Missions Camp (SMC). The first 5 days there would consist out of some intense training. I was happy there was going to be training, because I felt really unprepared. It was a week in which I met many many new people, and I really experienced encouragement through them. However, this was not yet camp, it was pre-camp! So, after I went back to Ancaster for the weekend, Monday I travelled to 502 Spadina Ave. in Toronto, to take the camp bus with the kids, the camp bus that would take me to the Scott Mission Camp property where I had completed my training (near Caledon).

My first week was a challenge, my co-counsellor (Rufio) and I (Vader) where in charge of the Anderson cabin in our first week. We had 9 kids between the ages of 9-11. Even though they were sometimes called the "Terror-squad" and they did give us sme hard times, it was a blessing. It was great to be able to share the gospel with all these kids. All 96 kids at this camp come from low-income families, most of the families reside in Toronto, even thought there are also a few kids that came from Brampton, Missasauga, and even Hamilton.

All the kids at camp are between the age of 7 and 14, and many have already experienced stuff that I will never experience. But, as I was told during pre-camp it is so important not to judge them, they are all God's children, no matter how many rules they abolish, they deserve this break! Some of the best times were during our evening devotions, or the evening pool parties. The last night (Friday) we had a pool party instead of an evening game. In the midst of all the hot weather the cool pool was refreshing, and when the counsellors where called up to do a diving board show the campers were very entertained. Let's say that the Belly flop I did, was still felt 5 hours later went to bed.

So, camp is pretty rockin', I would appreciate it if you would pray for what is happening at SMC this summer, and that God's love may truly be felt in the lives of these children. I hope this will do for another week or so, because blogging at a camp with hardly any internet access is almost impossible.

God bless, Willem (Vader)

Blog changes

2006-06-30T20:06:00.000-04:00

This blog has undergone some changes recently, these were not intended. All information, posts, links and other stuff are up again. However, the commenting option is not present at the time. I did not want to change my blog, but in my blog business I completely erased everything therefore, I had to start all over again. I'll try to add a way of commenting soon. Thanks for the patience. - Willem

coming and going

2006-06-28T11:23:00.000-04:00

Today at 3:00 pm, the time to leave Ancaster has come. It was a good five weeks at Redeemer a bit boring sometimes, especially when I only had like 8 hours of work a week, but I should not complain. Tonight I am going to the TDCH graduation and tomorrow I am going to the WCHS graduation (cousins). Then I get to relax and chill for a few days at home and I start camp on sunday!! I'll come up with a higher quality post sometime before that. I guess the reason I haven'tn updated has to do with the Portugese ability to make a football match look like a WWF show. England better teach these theatric pretty boy's a lesson.

My Netherlands

2006-06-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

This is the first map in hopefully a series of maps. It is a map titled my Netherlands, for all the people that still want to know where I am from this should give you an idea. Let me know what you think about it. (click to enlarge)

detour

2006-06-15T18:18:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you need to start all over, begin at the beginnning. I am slowly figuring out why? I am slowly being tought why? It is not the strong on this earth that survive, it is the strong in the Lord God Almighty that will last forever. C.S. Lewis writes about nearness in likeness and approach to God. They often seem very alike, however, it can be very betraying. I think sometimes you reach a point were god is teaching you so much, where God is showing you so much, where God is loving you much, where God is working through you so much, that you kind of start to feel "godly". Your ways seem to be alike to those of God, and you think that you can make the difference by what God has tought you. This is where the betrayel is, you can not make the difference by what you have learned. Your nearness in likeness is not something that is godly, it might seem very impressive, it is however nothing more than you earthly desires that have surpassed your desire for God.

This is when you are not near in approach anymore you are just near in likeness. It is like standing on the edge of a cliff with the beach where you want to go right below you, however we can not descend the cliff, we must take a detour. That detour (approach) is the path that Jesus took for us, he became human and suffered trial and tribulation to return to his father. Being on that cliff we are so close to our destination (God) in likeness we are near, however we have a long way to go, we have to take the detour (approach) to get where we need to be. Are ways have to be like God, not our appearance. Sometimes we need to start all over again, we need to stand on top of that cliff and start taking the detour, instead of trying to stand so close to the edge, trying just to be more like God.

Let's take a detour, Jesus took quite the detour to come back home, he gave us the perfect example, in likeness he was the same as God, still he showed us how to be near to god in our approach. It is like practising that piece of music, that one move, that one jump, that one play, that one scene, we will keep on failing until we take the full detour.

Oranje!!!!!!!!

2006-06-09T15:26:00.000-04:00

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

So today the world cuphas finally begun, maybe I should have not moved to Canada, it is surely a lot easier to follow the World Cup in Holland. I am however, still very excited about the world cup. It is fun to be able to share previous world cp experiences, to share your opinion about certain players, countries, cultures. It is a celebration.

Here are some examples of "Dutch soccer pride".

This is the Dutch embassy in Berlin. The orange lights become a light show during Holland games, the fans projected on the left side will leave the stans when Holland is not playing, and will cheer when Holland won!

This is the replica 2nd World War German army helmet that has been fitted to suit Dutch fans.

There is a good change that many fountains in Germans cities will turn orange, like every world cup Holland takes over the cities that they play in.

Oranje = Orange = Dutch = National colour = Dutch Pride

If you buy coffee, you get free flip flops that print "HUP Holland" in the sand (Go Holland).

A random meeting

2006-06-08T22:44:00.000-04:00

Mercy met Judgement

Righteousness met Sin

Light met Darkness

Humility met Pride

Love met Hate

Life met Death

A cursed One on a tree met The curse that originated from a tree

The sting of death met The antidaote of resurrection

- Dutch Sheets

Jesus interceded for us, He created a meeting, a meeting of reconciliation

My names

2006-06-05T10:15:00.000-04:00

Your Hawaiian Name is:

Lono Kai

What's" your Hawaiian Name?

Your Monster Profile

Omega Butcher
You Feast On: Tofu
You Lurk Around In: Flocks of Freshmen
You Especially Like to Torment: Pop Stars

What's" Your Monster Name?

Your Italian Name Is...

Raul Greco

What's" Your Italian Name?

Your Hillbilly Name Is...

Billy Bob West

Hillbilly Name Generator

Your Japanese Name Is...

Souta Saionji

What's" your Japanese Name?

Your Irish Name Is...

Lugh Fitzpatrick

What's" your Irish Name?

Your Superhero Profile

Your Superhero Name is The Aqua AlbinoYour Superpower is SolarYour Weakness is SailorsYour Weapon is Your Celestial SawYour Mode of Transportation is Canoe

What's" your Superhero Name?

Your Elf Name Is...

Ditzy Sweet Cheeks

What's" Your Elf Name?

Your French Name is:

Forest Foucaud

What's" Your French Name?

Your 1920's Name is:

Valentine Ardell

What's" Your 1920's Name?

Wow! I never knew I had this many identities!

What am I up to?

2006-06-02T18:10:00.000-04:00

well...

Currently listening: Be Thou My Vision - Jars of Clay

Currently reading: Intercessory prayer - Dutch Sheets (what a name!!)

Currently employed by: Redeemer Food Services

Currently feeling: Very happy!

Currently living: 372 Springbrook Avenue, Ancaster

Currently loving: God, Family, Friends, Creation, Work, Reading (writing) abilities, Soccer, Hot Dog's (supper).

This is when pictures become hard. God bless, Willem

What are we to make of Christ?

2006-05-23T11:08:00.000-04:00

‘What are we to make of Christ?’ There is no question of what we can make of Him, it I entirely a question of what he intends to make of us. You must accept or reject the story.
The things He says are very different from what any other teacher said. Others say, ‘This is the truth about the universe. This is the way you ought to go’, but He says, I am the Truth, and the Way, and the Life.’ He says ‘ No man can reach absolute reality, except through Me. Try to retain your own life and you will be inevitably ruined. Give yourself away and you will be saved.’ He says, ‘If you are ashamed of Me, if, when you hear this call, you turn the other way, I also look the other way when I come again as God without disguise. If anything whatever is keeping you from God and from Me, whatever it is, throw it away. If it is your eye, pull it out. If it is your hand, cut it off. If you put yourself first you will be last. Come to Me everyone who is carrying a heavy load, I will set that right. Your sins, all of them, are wiped out, I can do that. I am Re-birth, I am Life. Eat Me, drink Me, I am your Food. And finally, do not be afraid, I have overcome the whole Universe.’ That is the issue.

- C.S. Lewis

Some Redeemer memories (pictures)

2006-05-21T20:49:00.000-04:00

Curling!! - that's me sweeping in the background!!

Chris and myself, with part of the Redeemer mascotte.

Campus Visit Day, this was on St. Patrick's Day (Sarah's birthday)

After a random Redeemer hockey game

Robyn's birthday - and no Gavin is not hammered.

Trine and Liz, wearing Matt's and my jackets after banquet.

Back at RUC (story so far)

2006-05-20T22:11:00.001-04:00

I was going to write an average little updat on my life, however while I was listening to my Memories playlist, several songs came by that made me realize how much had changed since I left Holland on July 26th 2005.

I would like to therefore take this opportunity to kind of share my journey that brought me here. Being raised in a Christian family with a Canadian mother who met a Canadian Dutch father in Holland, Canada was a part of me from my early years on. As a result of that I spend many of my summers in Ontario with my family that lived and still lives there. In 2000 my father past away after fighting cancer for several years. This switched my life and the life of my family around completely. Luckily God blessed me with a group of friends that really helped and supported me. In 2001 my middle brother went to Calvin college, he loved it. This was one of the things that got me thinking about leaving for a College in Canada to. However, I was only in my 2nd year if high school and there were still some years left. When my oldest brother got married I became the only one left in my house besides my mom. This change turned out to be harder than anticipated. In several years 3 of the 5 people that I had lived with all my life were not there anymore.

After 5 years of high school which is normal in Holland, I decided to go to college in Holland for one year. I really wanted to go to Redeemer, however, I was 17 and felt that waiting for another year could not hurt. However, I missed my high school environment, I was in a new place and my attitude was set on leaving the Netherlands and going to Canada. This resulted that in April 2005 I was already trying to disconnect from all my friends in Holland. I was trying to leave quite and not be a bother to anyone, I was afraid it would hurt to much. In may 2005 exactly one year to the date ago, I saw Redeemer for the first time. The day before my brother had graduated from Calvin College and on the way back to Barrie where all my family lives we stopped at Redeemer. The same Korean church weekend that was going on last year is going on again this weekend, and now I am serving them lunch.

It was also in that may of 2005, that my mom made me realized that I was trying to disconnect from my friends, she made me realize that this was not good for me and not just towards them. The last to months that I spent in Holland were truly great. I was anticipating going to Redeemer all the time, however, it did not get in the way of spending time with friends and family. I left Holland on July 26th, I came a bit early, I guess to prepare going to Redeemer.

Now Redeemer has changed my life, actually God has changed my life through Redeemer. I have written many stories already about the great times I have had at Redeemer. Nevertheless, the main difference Redeemer has made for me, it has managed to let me fully use my talents and gifts that have been given to me by God’s grace. Throughout my first year at Redeemer, there was a point around February where people (you know who you are) were a bit worried that I would have some sort of a burn out or break down. Although, I really appreciated this thought and concern, being at Redeemer has given me a new force. Most of the changes that have happened since I have left Holland have been very positive. God has given me a drive for him and his kingdom, and at the moment I know that he is providing for me, he has showed me how to open my eyes and to see his work, love, people, creation and power in a new light. And that can keep me going for a very long time.

Now don’t get me wrong, I miss Holland! I would love to be able to spend time there again and just be around friends, family (my oldest brother and his wife still live there), culture and congregation. However, I can only praise God for the blessing in my life. To God be the glory now and forever, Amen.

Fiddler on the Roof

2006-05-11T14:07:00.000-04:00

After a few beautiful days of sunshine, warm weather, reading books at the beach, etc. Today is very rainy, and while I am writing this post, I am watching a classic; Fiddler on the Roof. It is a 3 hour movie an I am at 2 hours and 8 minutes right now. And I think I am really enjoying it. Of course the movie is about 35 years old, and you kind of have to be in to the musical type of movies, but it is a good watch.

So I have been done with my first year Redeemer for 2 weeks now. and it has been great being able to not have to worry about essays, finals and assignments. All of last week my brother and his wife were here, it was really good to see them again after 10 months. All week long we went from here to there all week long, concluding in a day in Toronto on friday. I have really fallen in love with that city over the last year. In the summer I went there with my cousin, in the fall I went there for the Toronto Missions Trip, and several times throughout the year I have made short stops there for several reasons. I think I can say for sure after all these years that I enjoy living in cities. Don't get me wrong, I love being outside and out of urban areas, however, There are some cities that have my heart, Toronto being one of them. So that friday night we also went to the Blue Jays game, which the Jays won 13-3 against the Angels. I love high scoring games!

As I briefly mentioned, the first few days of this week I have really been enjoying the beautiful weather, everydayI biked to the lake and enjoyed the sun, read some books and just walked around and enjoyed life. It is great to be a bit lazy at the moment. I don't start working until next week friday, that's when I'll be heading to Redeemer for 5 weeks to work for Food Services once again. When all that is over I'll go home to Barrie for a week and than I'll start working at Scott Missions Camp for the rest of the summer.

But, know I am going to give my full attention to the Fiddler on the Roof once more, because the movie is done in 30 minutes. I hope all of you have been enjoying your summer so far.

God bless, Willem
Back to the Fiddler!

1 year down and summer is here

2006-04-30T18:46:00.000-04:00

As I am sitting here on the last day of april school is all done (well first year is). As I have said throughout this school year, I have really been blessed at Redeemer, on my first day already I felt like I was in the right place. The experiences that I have gained in the last year will last me a lifetime. Besides all the large events there are also small things that have made this year amazing. I will not name specific memories, because the year as a whole was a great learning experience full of blessings. As I was reading through my fellow bloggers blog's I read a great post on Heather Zuidhof's blog. Now I am not a big fan of stealing from other blogs, but I will this time. The piece on Heather's blog (see blog roll left) had a great understanding of how different life is between university and home, how there are 2 worlds.

Here is the piece,
"A year has passed and now we stand on the brink of returning to a world where we are surrounded by the paradox of everything, and yet nothing being the same. In one week we will reluctantly give our hugs and, fighting the tears, say goodbye to people who were once just names on a sheet of paper, to return to people that we hugged and fought tears to say goodbye to before we ever left.
We will leave our best friends to return to our best friends. We will go back to the places we came from and go back to the same things we did last summer, and every summer before that. We will come into town on that same familiar road, and even though it has been months, it will seem like only yesterday.As you walk into your old bedroom, every emotion will pass through you as you reflect on the way your life has changed and the person you have become. You suddenly realize that the things that were most important to you a year ago don't seem to matter so much anymore, and the things you hold highest now, no one at home will completely understand.
The memories and the stories from school won't mean anything to anyone at home and yet you resent them for that they can't share that happiness with you. Who will you call first? What will you do your first weekend home with your friends? How long before you actually start missing people barging in without calling or knocking? Who will get pizza at three in the morning with you now? How long until you adjust to sleeping alone in a room again?
Then you start to realize how much things have changed, and you realize the hardest part of university is balancing the two completely different worlds you now live in, trying desperately to hold on to everything all the while trying to figure out what you have to leave behind. In the matter of one day's traveling time we will leave our world of living next door to our best friends, walking across campus to eat, instant messenger, 8:00am classes and the perpetual procrastination to a world that will seem foreign to us despite the fact that we lived in it for eighteen years.
But it is different now. We now know the meaning of true friendship. We know who we have kept in touch with over the past year and who we hold dearest in our hearts. We've left our high school world to deal with the real world. We've had our hearts broken, we've fallen in love, we've helped our best friends overcome depression, stress and death, and we've stayed up all night on the phone just to talk to a friend in need. There have been times when we've felt so helpless being hours away from home when we know our families needed us, and there are times we know we have made a difference.
One week from now we will leave. One week from now we take down our pictures and pack up our clothes. No more going next door to do nothing for hours on end. We will leave our friends whose random email and phone calls will bring us to laughter and tears this summer. We will take our memories and dreams and put them away for now, saving them for our return to this world. One week from now we will arrive. We will unpack our bags and have dinner with our families. We will drive over to our best friend's house and do nothing for hours on end. We will return to the same friends whose random emails and phone calls have brought us to laughter and tears over the year. We will unpack old dreams and memories that have been put away for the past year. In one week we will dig deep inside to find the strength and conviction to adjust to change and still keep each other close.
And somehow, in some way, we will find our place between these two completely different worlds."

The great thing is, we will find our place between these two worlds. Wednesday morning I found my place between these two worlds. Before 11:20AM my university world was the only world I had a place in. At night I would be done my exams and I would be done my first year, however, I had no summer plans at all. However, things change; I got a call at 11:20 that Scott Missions Camp would love to offer me a job for July and August. And it is almost certain that in may and june I will probably work for Redeemer Food Services.

However, let's not look in the future, let tomorrow's worries (joy's) be for tomorrow. Yesterday, my destination was Lester B. Pearson Airport (that's Toronto). I picked up my brother and his wife from the airport. My oldest brother and his wife live in Holland and so I did not see them since June last year. It is great to be around family (even family from Holland) and it is great to be home for a little while, even though I have never lived in this house longer than 2 weeks.

Well, I want to be social again, so I will get back to you later.

Hi from everybody (my mom, my brother (Jeroen) his wife (Jacqueline) and from me. God bless.

2 exams, 2 days

2006-04-26T10:33:00.000-04:00

No I don't have 2 exams left in 2 days. I have 2 exams today and I am done. And tomorrow I will be leaving Redeemer (that is 2 days, if you include today). It is still a bit unreal to me at the moment, but I think I am getting ready for it. Today I have Sociology 122 and Geography 122. So, in about 12 hours I am done all my exams. This is a really horrible update, because I know I should be studying... Then look at it this way, I hereby promise an year wrap-up (update) before this month is over. In the mean well, people have exams left, good luck on them. People who are driving home, I wish you traveling mercies. God bless, Willem

Why I love (don't mind) exam week!

2006-04-18T22:50:00.000-04:00

Well, once again they have arrived: EXAMS!!
Once you get over the annoyance of having to cramp everything in your head at once. It gets fun! Sure, it can get a little depressing sometimes, but it is a time of great relaxation and joy in between all those times. I'll give you a couple of examples.

- You are always able to find people that also need a study break, and you can catch up with them!
- People are focussed on comfort, I love it when I see people walking around on socks and bare feet and in comfortable clothes. Who really cares what a studying person looks like.
- You get a lot of stuff done, other events that need to be done (like updating your blog) gets done, sure you are procastinating, but it gets done!
- You once again learn to appreciate the wonderful world of Hi-liter's, the bright and beautifull coours blow me away (well only when I really don't feel like studying)
- When you really want some disgusting fa(s)t-food, you are perfectly justified and you don't have to explain it to anyone.
- Taking a bike ride or playing catch is a great way to get a break and enjoy the beautifull weather!
- You don't have to go to classess
- You are able to end some of the dreadful courses you had to take! (if you are taking any of those)
- You learn to appreciate the carpet in the library!
- And the Redeemer bookstore has a 15% discount on clothes!

These are some of the serious and less serious reasons of why I love exam week. And therefore I wish everybody blessings with their exams, but especially in the simple things that come with exams.

God bless, Willem

4 Things about me

2006-04-07T17:37:00.000-04:00

Four jobs I have had:
@ Redeemer Food services (yes, I am the soup guy)
$ Hoogvliet Supermarket working in the produce section
% Working as a mover, host, and general task person for my old high school
# My first ever job delivering magazines

Four movies I could watch over and over:
@ Shawshank Redemption
$ Forest Gump
% Braveheart
# Cool Runnings

Four books I could read over and over:
@ Bible
$ God in the Alley
% the Harry Potter books
# any suggestions?

Places I have lived:
@ Alsmeer, the Netherlands (0-2)
$ Ede, the Netherlands moved twice within Ede (2-18)
% Barrie, Ontario (since this summer)
# Ancaster, Ontario (Redeemer)

Four Places I've been on Vacation:
@ Southern Ontario and surroundings about 10 times, kinda weird, it is now my home
$ Denmark
% Cheltenham, England
# Disneyland Paris, oh I am running out of space...

Websites I vist daily :
@ www.voetalzone.nl (soccer)
$ www.redeemer.ca/webmail
% tons of blogs... see blog links
# www.nos.nl (news)

Four favorite foods:
@ Shoarma (Shawarma)
$ A mom cooked meal of salmon, fried patatoes and veggies
% home made pizza
# sheperds pie

Favorite alcoholic drinks:
@ Bailey's on ice
$ Wine (many sorts)
% Smirnoff Ice
# That's right no beer, I am not a big beer drinker

Four favorite non-alcoholic drinks:
@ Orange Juice
$ Sprite
% Water (ice cold or running water)
# Milkshake

Four favorite musicians:
@ Simon and Garfunkel
$ Jamie Cullum
% Article One (formerly Appartain display)
# Rod Stewart (it is so hard to choose)

Four places I'd rather be right now:
@ In my old church with all my friends from there
$ At a hockey game
% In our old store
# Chicago

Last 4 books I have read:
@ a few of the Narnia's
$ Some bible books
% God in the Alley
# Physical Geography chapter 19

Last 4 movies I have seen:
@ V for Vendetta
$ West Side Story
% Walk the Line
# Save the Last Dance

Thanks to Steve.

By the way drop by dorm 36 next year!
That is where Nathan, James, Evan, Josh, Peter, Matt, Steve and I will be living!!

fun week(end)

2006-04-07T01:14:00.000-04:00

While most people are busy with papers and test, I am priviliged with hardly any of that at the end of this term. I only had a test and lab on wednesday and from now until my exams I am done! So, it is time for some pre-exam fun. Last week I had the Mosaic dinner, which was a pleasent event. Now I just came back from a movie and a great night at Ashley, Kara-Dee and Jill's place. With the guys from my dorm we watched V for Vedeta, it was a really good movie, that gets thinking. Tomorrow, I have my ATeam social for the end of the year and saturday I will be going to a Hillsong United concert. Sunday is my birthday, and I'll probably celebrate it monday evening (I think). All this continues until my last day of classes next week wednesday.

I can't believe how wuick this year has passed. It seems only yesterday that this all began. There have been so many memories over the last year, it is hard to remember everything. However, there a re still a few weeks left and I plan to enjoy them!

It is a kinda sad small update, but that's all for now! - God bless, Willem

Abide with me.

2006-03-26T13:48:00.000-05:00

Well yesterday we went to Crabby Joe's for Katrina's birthday. It was a really good time and it was great fun. When Liz drove us back to Redeemer on the way home we (Katrina, Liz, Heather, Kristin and I) started talking about how God has been blessing us in our lives. And the reason why he blesses us, is because we let go and we give something into God's hands. It was really cool to hear some of the testimonies of how God always abides with us. Dictionary.com gives this as one of their definitions of abide: To wait patiently for.

That is what God does with us. He waits patiently for us, he waits for us to admit to him over and over again that we will only find joy and blessings in surrendering everything to him. Especially in those hard times we have to stay close to God, we have to remain faithfull to him, and then he will abide with us through any struggle. We sang the song Abide with me in church this morning. And it was just a great testimony to me, it was a testimony of God to me, he told me that he abides with me.

The last time I sang this song was at a funeral, it was one of those times when the eventide falls fast. At that moment God abided with me, and the great thing is now he still abides with me. He will always wait patiently for me, when I am in times of deepened darkness or in times of blessed joy. He is always there to abide with me, the only thing I have to do is surrender to him. Why is that so hard?

God bless, Willem

1.
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
the darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
2.
Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
change and decay in all around I see;
O thou who changest not, abide with me.
3.
I need thy presence every passing hour.
What but thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
4.
I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
ills have no weight, and tears not bitterness.
Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if thou abide with me.
5.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes;
shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee;
in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.